Big brands like MAC, Jaclyn Hill, NARS, Kylie Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills and so many more have been victim of counterfeiters. These cheap replicas can look identical and are sold for a much cheaper price in streets, malls, online and other places. But it comes at an extreme cost.

There has been a lot of testing that proves there are some horrifying things in the fake cosmetics. Express.com said “FAKE make-up products have been found to contain “bacteria and human waste” after police seized a £500,000 haul of counterfeit cosmetics from brands including MAC, NARS and Kylie Cosmetics …”

Believe it or not, counterfeit cosmetics contain poop and other harmful bacteria. Additionally, in an article written by CBS News, YouTube makeup artist Arguelles tested both eyeshadows and when she woke up the next morning, her eyes were burning, uncomfortable and itchy. “Within the first 45 minutes, I realized that it was an eye infection. I couldn’t get my contacts on,” Arguelles said “I looked back at the footage, and it was on the fake side. Hundred percent.”Within the first 45 minutes, I realized that it was an eye infection. I couldn’t get my contacts on.Plus some fake makeup has been found to contain dangerous chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, and aluminum. MAC lipstick and a Jaclyn Hill eyeshadow palette were tested for 12 different metals. Most concerningly, some of the eyeshadows in the fake palette had four times the amount of the real version.

And yet that’s not even the half of it. It is scary how realist the packaging is. Police officers have intercepted shipments from China of fake Chanel perfumes that clearly state they are from France. Some counterfeit products copy all the ingredients from the real packaging so you don’t really know what’s in it. This is a real thing. Even if something like this hasn’t happened to you, don’t risk it.

If the sale seems a little too good to be true, it probably is.

So how can you check if it’s fake? While checking the site is a good way to make sure, you should compare the price.  It can tell you a lot like if a MAC lipstick is $2.00 instead of $18.50.

According to InStyle magazine, “If the sale seems a little too good to be true, it probably is. Most brands will regulate pricing on their products, meaning that $5 Chanel mascara likely isn’t the real deal.”

Paying ten dollars more can save you from some harmful bacteria, but the best thing to do is to examine the packing. Fake products are usually in lower-quality plastic or metal packaging, often with ill-fitting mirrors and sponge-tipped applicators.

So try to take a couple of seconds to double check the website or the product. It may save you a visit to the hospital.