Experts Caution about Health Risks of Low-Quality Chinese Cosmetics

Here TYT brings you the first of two articles about the commercialization of low quality Chinese beauty products in Merida.

The cosmetics of Chinese origin, cloned or expired, are the most sold in the streets of Merida due to the low price they have, however, they represent a serious risk to health, because they could produce ailments from allergies to skin cancer.

According to the Mexican Foundation for Dermatology (FMD), consultations for skin conditions linked to the usage of makeup are currently occupying the fourth or fifth place in medical care.

In this regard, authorities of Profeco pointed out that a complaint is required to take action on the matter, but since it is a question of street commerce, it is difficult to locate the vendors to summon them to a meeting with the complainants.

People sell this type of product because they only need to invest one thousand pesos to obtain a good stock, and the profit they make is recovered at 100%, said Mrs. Bertha Rosado Chacón, a beauty products seller originally from Mexico City.

She explained that people usually don’t check the expiration date of the beauty products that they are buying, nor the formula that contains the product or the origin of it. That is very important because the makeup could irritate the eyes, or can cause pimples.

Dr. Hortensia Veronica Gonzalez, dermatologist and skin cancer specialist, explained that the reactions to cosmetics depend on each person’s skin, some products do contain aggressive substances that can produce rash on skin, and others can even produce cancer.