January 27, 2026
The Lebanese market has been experiencing unprecedented chaos for years, with the spread of smuggled and counterfeit goods in light of the decline in citizens’ purchasing power. From clothing and shoes, to counterfeit cosmetics and perfumes bearing international brand names, fraud has become a daily reality that the consumer faces without any actual protection or guarantees.
Perfumes are among the goods most vulnerable to counterfeiting in Lebanon, due to the ease of imitation of their packaging and the difficulty of distinguishing between them and the original products. These perfumes are offered at low prices compared to their actual price, and carry the signature of well-known international brands, which makes them attractive to a wide segment of the Lebanese. The most dangerous thing is that its spread is no longer limited to popular markets, but has expanded to some shops and electronic pages, reaching a wider audience with misleading confidence.
In this context, it was announced General Directorate of State Security Launching a campaign to combat fraud, counterfeiting, and trafficking in counterfeit products, which was translated into a series of raids that resulted in the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit perfumes ready for marketing in the areas of Sin El Fil, Ghobeiry, and Bourj Hammoud, in a dangerous indication of the size of this trade and its wide spread.
In parallel, sources revealed Ministry of Economy and Trade For a site MTV The Intellectual Property Protection Office in the Ministry receives repeated complaints about counterfeit goods, and after they are detected, they are destroyed in cooperation with General Directorate of Customs.
But the most important question that imposes itself: What are the risks of these perfumes, especially for those who do not have the ability to buy the original?
Studies and laboratory tests indicate that the composition of counterfeit perfumes is completely far from internationally approved standards. Instead of natural essential oils, cheap chemicals and alcohols are used that are not suitable for cosmetic use. Here, the danger is not limited to commercial fraud, but rather extends to a direct health threat, as repeatedly contacting these substances with the skin or inhaling them may lead to skin allergies, chronic headaches, and respiratory infections, and the damage may worsen with prolonged use without the consumer paying attention to the real cause.
In short, these perfumes may seem like a “smart” option in light of the difficult living conditions, but their health cost may be much higher than the price of the original perfume. Do not be fooled by the pleasant smell and the attractive price. Inside these containers are toxic substances that cannot be seen or smelled, and they silently infiltrate the body…perfuming the outside and exhausting the inside.
