If you’re feeling intrigued by the ease of using your favorite one-click shopping site to get jaw-dropping deals on beauty products, you may want to think again. When it comes to purchasing beauty products online, that old adage definitely applies: if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

A new report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that growth in the e-commerce industry has contributed to an increase in manufacturers producing counterfeit goods that may be sold online alongside authentic products. That means you may not always be getting the product you’re paying for, even when you purchase from reputable online retailers such as Amazon, eBay and Walmart.

The office conducted undercover purchases of commonly counterfeited consumer goods on popular consumer websites. Of the four frequently counterfeited consumer product types purchased, including shoes, travel mugs, cosmetics and phone chargers, cosmetics were the most frequently counterfeited. In fact, every single cosmetic item purchased was a fake.

And the concern is about more than just product quality. Not only are counterfeit products low quality and ineffective, but they use ingredients that can be potentially harmful to consumers. If you unknowingly purchase a counterfeit beauty product, the biggest danger is the high risk that you’re putting harmful ingredients on your body.

While established beauty brands follow the safety standards set by the FDA and other organizations when designing their products, there are no such standards for counterfeit products. These manufacturers are dedicated to making their products in the cheapest possible way, and will use any ingredients to do so. Retailers are selling counterfeit beauty products that could contain hazardous substances, including cyanide, arsenic, mercury or lead (or even urine and rat droppings!).

Counterfeit goods can be hard to spot—in fact, third-party sellers on popular sites often offer them online next to authentic goods. The best practice to avoid fakes is to avoid unauthorized retailers or third-party sellers, opting instead for items marked as “ships from and sold by Amazon.com” or and take the time to do some research to find out where the brands you love are sold by authorized dealers.

3 Things You Should Know About Counterfeit Skin Care Products

1. Take a Closer Look

It can be very difficult to tell the difference between authentic and counterfeit products. But often a close look at the product label and packaging is all that’s needed to spot a fake. Watch for misspellings on uneven fonts on the labeling, and double check that product images match what’s shown on the manufacturer’s own website images.

2. Search Out

Skin care manufacturers work with authorized retailers. To make sure you’re getting the real deal, visit the brand websites for a list of authorized retailers near you. For instance, visit Obagi.com to search for authorized medical practices carrying Obagi products—including Timeless Skin Solutions!

3. Use Caution

Here’s a sobering fact: many customers don’t realize they’ve purchased a counterfeit product until it’s too late. In a survey from brand protection agency MarkMonitor, 34 percent of consumers say they figured out their product was a fake after experiencing a bad reaction.

At Timeless, we proudly stock medical-grade skin care products including SkinMedica, Obagi and ColoreScience that are of the highest quality and we only sell 100% guaranteed authentic products. You’ll know you’re getting the high quality of a brand you love. Click here to browse our selection of SkinMedica products that can be delivered straight to your door!