How to Spot Fake Skincare and Perfume in Kenya

Counterfeit beauty products are a real problem in Kenya. Walk through any busy market, or scroll a few Instagram “plugs”, and you will find CeraVe, The Ordinary and designer perfume at prices that are simply not possible for the genuine article. Sometimes the fake is harmless and just ineffective. Sometimes it contains things you would never knowingly put on your face.

Why fakes are worth worrying about

Counterfeit creams are made with no quality control. They can carry bacteria, the wrong strength of active ingredients, or ingredients that are banned in Kenya. A fake sunscreen may give little or no protection, which on the equator is a real risk to your skin.

Fake perfume often uses cheap solvents that irritate skin, and it usually smells right for ten minutes before it fades or turns sour. Either way, you have spent money on something that does not work.

Checks for skincare

1. Price. If it costs a third of what every reputable seller charges, it is almost certainly not genuine. Real stock costs real money to import.
2. Batch code and expiry. Genuine products carry a batch code printed or embossed on the tube or bottle, and it usually matches the one on the box. Missing, smudged or sticker-printed codes are a warning sign.
3. Print quality. Look for blurry text, spelling mistakes, uneven colours and logos that look slightly off. Compare with photos on the brand’s official website.
4. Seals and packaging. Pumps and tubes should be sealed. Cartons should be clean and properly glued, not re-taped.
5. Texture and smell. CeraVe cleansers and creams are fragrance-free. A perfumed “CeraVe”, or one that is runny, separated or grainy, is not right.
6. The seller. Ask where the stock comes from. A genuine retailer can tell you and has a physical address and a returns process.

Checks for perfume

1. The bottle. Genuine bottles have clean glass, even seams and a heavy, well-fitted cap. Look for bubbles, wobbly caps or uneven liquid levels between “identical” bottles.
2. The batch code. It should be on the bottom of the bottle and on the box, and the two should match.
3. The box. The cellophane should be tight and neatly folded. Fonts, spacing and colours should match the brand’s images.
4. How it wears. A genuine perfume develops over hours: the fresh top notes give way to a heart and then a deeper base. A fake often smells flat and is gone in an hour.
5. “Testers” and “originals from Dubai” at a fraction of the price are one of the most common routes for fakes.

How we source

We only stock products we can trace back to the brand that made them, and every product listed has a clear price in shillings. If you ever have a question about a product you bought from us, WhatsApp us on 0116 100 842 with a photo of the batch code and we will check it with you. You can also read our exchange policy.

Shop genuine CeraVe, The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay and designer perfume, delivered anywhere in Kenya.