Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations

Room 701, Seoul YWCA, 1-1, Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul,

TEL +82-02-774-4050, FAX +82-02-774-4090

Press Release

Effecitive Date	: June. 4, 2012
Dept. in Charge	: Team leader Jo June-ha
	: Assistant Administrator Ryu Soo-yang
Tel	: +82-02-770-4050

Must be careful in selecting and buying cosmetics during the summer…

KNCCO announced matters that require attention when buying cosmetics.

From spring to summer, the amount of the elements harmful to the skin such as yellow dust, pollen, and ultraviolet rays increase significantly to make the skin very sensitive, and with it, the use of cosmetics and its side effects also increase. Regarding this matter, The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations (KNCCO) (President Kim Yeon-hwa) has announced the results of the analysis of the counseling cases related to cosmetics that were handled at 1372 Consumer Counseling Center of 10 consumer organizations nationwide and the precautions that consumers must take.

Counseling on the side effects of cosmetics has increased from spring.

Among the counseling cases reported at KNCCO for the side effects of cosmetics, the number of counseling between March and May of 2010 was 325, and the number between March and May of 2011 was 407. In 2012, 266 such cases were reported from March to May. Thus, the number of counseling on the side effects of cosmetics increased with warm weather is proven.

Check the expiration date and ingredients of cosmetics before purchasing.

When the weather gets warmer and the skin becomes more sensitive, take special care by observing the expiration date and ingredients of the cosmetic. While the usable period of cosmetics varies for each kind of cosmetic, the ingredients of most cosmetics are polluted by harmful materials as time passes after they are opened and they may cause side effects on the skin. In addition, check the ingredients of the cosmetics to avoid ingredients that cause allergy and other side effects.

With the amendment of the Cosmetics Law in February 2012, it is necessary to write the ingredients and the expiration date (or usable period after opening) on the container (the container which directly contact the cosmetics) of all cosmetics, so consumers may easily obtain the information about the cosmetic. It is expected that relevant complaints will be reduced.

Be careful with the method of purchase; many complaints come from buying on the street.

While there are many methods for purchasing cosmetics, purchasing cosmetics on the street is very problematic. There are many consumers who suffered damage to their face after buying cosmetics on the street, thus needing to be careful. At first, the vendors approach consumers asking them to fill in some questionnaires related to cosmetics. Then they take the consumers to a van offering to test the skin or give basic cosmetics for free and seduce them to buy an expensive cosmetic set in installments. There are many reports of damage inflicted in this manner and it is on the rise (498 cases in 2010, 700 cases in 2011, and 368 cases between January and May in 2012).

Among the 1,566 cases of complaints from purchasing cosmetics on the street (January 2010 ~ May 2012), 646 cases (41.3% of the purchase done on the street) were concerned with minors' purchase of the cosmetics set without the consent of their guardians. The number of such cases is on the rise from 190 cases (38.2%) in 2010 and 289 cases (41.3%) in 2011 to 167 cases (45.4%) in 2012 as of the end of May. Minors need to pay keen attention to this matter.

Precautions to take when buying cosmetics

KNCCO hereby announces the precautions to be taken by consumers when they purchase cosmetics.

◾ Check the expiration date and ingredients marked on the container and packing of the product before buying.

◾ Do not be seduced by free skin tests or the gift of cosmetics offered as bait on the street with surveying questionnaires.

◾ Do not open the packing upon purchase, and do not let the vendor discard the box of the product.

◾ Notify the vendor the intention of cancellation within 14 days for purchasing by visiting sale or buying on the street, and within 7 days for purchasing through mail order or electronic commerce.

◾ If a minor (minor at the time of purchase) purchased a product without the consent of her/his guardian, the notification of intention of cancellation can be made by the minor by her/him or his legal guardian

◾ After making the notification of cancellation of subscription or contract by visiting or by phone, send evidence through a contents-certified mail if possible.

◾ When you suffer damage with cosmetics, call #1372 (consumer counseling center) for help.

< Group Members >

Consumers Korea, Korea Consumer Education Center, YMCA Korea, YWCA Korea, Headquarters of Korean Wives, Consumers Union of Korea, Green Consumer Network, Korean Federation of Housewives Clubs, National Council of Homemakers' Classes, Korea Consumer Affairs Institute