The Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Health Service Executive have come together to warn shoppers to be extra vigilant when buying cosmetic products online or in markets this Christmas.
Both groups are advising shoppers to ensure that what they're buying is not a counterfeit product.
Last year the HPRA says 728 counterfeit or imitation cosmetics were seized.
Most of the seized items were eye shadows and lip products.
The Authority says after analysis some of these were later found to have contained harmful substances such as arsenic and lead.
The HPRA says Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner and Urban Decay were among the counterfeit brands which were found to contain these illegal substances.
Emer O’Neill, Cosmetics Product Manager, HPRA, says "Unfortunately, the Christmas season is generally the peak time of year for rogue sellers of counterfeit products, which are often found when purchasing products online or from temporary stalls or outlets."
"It is extremely concerning that highly toxic substances, such as arsenic and lead, have previously been detected in some products. Prolonged exposure to both of these banned substances can severely damage health causing potential harm to the brain and kidneys, among other organs."
People are buying the products from a range of places including websites based outside of the EU and also on social media.
The HPRA and @HSELive today warned consumers to be vigilant when purchasing ‘high-end’ leading brands of beauty products on sale through certain outlets such as markets and websites at Christmas. Visit our website for full details https://t.co/VjgjCk5En8 #mua #fakemakeup #makeup pic.twitter.com/BQzk9lalPo
— HPRA (@TheHPRA) December 12, 2018
