The Lagos beauty market is vibrant, fast-growing, and packed with options, from luxury imports to budget-friendly local brands.
However, with this variety comes a challenge many skincare lovers know all too well: identifying authentic skincare products.
Using fake skincare can damage your skin, waste your money, and even cause long-term reactions. So, how do you confidently spot authentic products in a city as busy as Lagos?
This guide breaks it down clearly and practically.
1. Buy From Authorised and Trusted Stores
One of the easiest ways to avoid fake skincare is by shopping from:
• Official brand stores
• Verified distributors
• Established beauty retailers (both offline and online)
Avoid random kiosks or open-market stands unless you 100% trust the seller. Only a few source products directly from brands or official wholesalers.
Tip: Check if the store posts receipts from their supply chain, shows restock proof, or is listed on the brand’s website.
2. Pay Attention to Packaging Quality
Counterfeiters often get the formula wrong, but they almost always get the packaging even more wrong.
Look out for:
• Misspelt words
• Poor print quality
• Blurry texts or colours that look “off”
• Packaging that feels lighter or cheaper than usual
• Labels that are crooked or peeling
If you’ve bought the product before and something looks unfamiliar, trust your instincts.
3. Check Batch Numbers, Barcodes & Expiry Dates
Authentic skincare brands already make purchasing their products easy; they print:
• Batch codes
• Manufacture dates
• Expiry dates
• Lot numbers
These should be clear, consistent, and impossible to peel off without effort. Search the batch code on online batch checkers like CheckFresh or on the brand’s official website.
4. Compare Prices with the Official Price Range
Real skincare is rarely “too cheap to be true.”
If a 40,000 naira product is selling for 14,000, pause.
If everyone else sells at one price and one seller is drastically lower, pause again.
Counterfeit products often use unusually low pricing to lure buyers. Quality skincare has relatively stable pricing across trusted retailers.
5. Look for a Secure Seal or Tamper-Proof Packaging
As an extra layer of protection and authenticity, most authentic skincare brands use:
• Plastic seals
• Foil covers
• Safety caps
• Shrink-wrap
• Pump locks
If your product arrives unsealed or looks like it has been opened, reject it. Genuine skincare rarely comes exposed.
6. Review the Product Texture and Scent
If something feels or smells off, it probably is.
Counterfeit skincare often has:
• A stronger or unusual smell
• A watery or overly thick texture
• Different colour than usual
• Faster separation (oil + water splitting)
Note: Always test new products on your arm or neck before using them on your face.
7. Use Customer Reviews and Community Feedback
In Lagos, beauty communities are powerful. There are platforms that expose counterfeit products and show people what the real deal should look and feel like.
These platforms are usually:
• TikTok beauty influencer pages
• Instagram skincare pages
• Facebook skincare groups
• Reddit communities
On these platforms, search for:
• “Is this seller legit?”
• “Where to buy original (product name) in Lagos”
• “Authentic skincare stores in Nigeria”
You’ll find a lot of guidance from people with real experiences.
8. Know the Product You’re Buying
Before buying, familiarise yourself with:
• How the original should look
• Available sizes
• Available formulations (e.g., US version vs. EU version)
• Active ingredients
This helps you quickly detect when something feels wrong.
9. Trust Your Instincts
If the seller seems unsure, the packaging looks odd, or the price is suspiciously low, walk away. Your skin is too valuable to take chances.
Always Get Authentic Skincare Products
Spotting authentic skincare products in Lagos is absolutely possible; you just need to have the right knowledge and know what to look out for. Stick with trusted brands like Topwidecare to get quality products and protect your skin.
