Fake vs Original: Spotting Counterfeits
How to use batch codes and packaging clues to tell genuine cosmetics and perfumes from convincing fakes.
4 min read · Updated June 2026
Start with the batch code
Genuine products have a batch code that decodes to a plausible recent manufacture date. Counterfeits often have missing codes, codes that don't match between the box and the bottle, or codes that decode to impossible dates.
A code that fails to decode isn't proof of a fake on its own — but combined with other signs, it's a strong warning.
Packaging red flags
- Batch codes on the box and product that don't match.
- Blurry printing, spelling mistakes, or misaligned labels.
- Cellophane that's loose, crooked, or missing.
- A price that's dramatically below retail from an unofficial seller.
Buy from trusted sources
The safest protection is buying from the brand directly or an authorised retailer. Marketplace and social-media sellers are where most counterfeits circulate.