Guides
How can you tell your Korean product is genuine? 6 signs to check before using it
Fake Korean products are everywhere. Six signs you can check yourself: the Korean label, the batch number, the seal, the texture, the source and the price.
4 November 20265 min read
The more famous a Korean product gets, the more fakes of it there are. The problem is that a fake can look almost identical, but you don't know what's inside it or how it was stored. Here are six signs you can check yourself before you put any product on your face.
1. The Korean label
A genuine Korean product, even with an Arabic or English sticker from the importer, usually has a label in Korean with the full ingredient list. Look for the word 전성분, which means "all ingredients". If there's no Korean writing at all, or the writing has obvious mistakes, that's a sign worth paying attention to.
2. Batch number and expiry date
Every genuine product has a batch number (LOT, BATCH or 제조번호) and an expiry date, printed clearly on the container, on its base or on the box. Faded or rubbed-off printing, or a sticker on top of another sticker, are all reasons to ask questions.
3. The seal and packaging
The product should reach you sealed: a plastic wrap, a seal under the cap or a protective sheet. And compare the packaging with the brand's official photos on its website or account: the font, the color of the cap and where the logo sits.
4. Texture and scent
Open the product and take a look: the texture should be stable, with no separation in the formula or change in color, and the scent should be normal. If you've tried the genuine product before, you'll notice the difference quickly.
If you have any doubt, don't try it on your face. Ask the seller first.
5. The source
Ask the seller one simple question: where do you get your products from? A store that imports directly or deals with the brand can answer you and show you documents. Trustworthy stores usually explain this on a page of its own.
6. The price
A price far below the market isn't always a deal. The product could be close to expiry (which is fine if it's made clear), stored the wrong way, or fake. Ask about the expiry date before you buy.
How we handle it at CHOMI
We bring every product ourselves from its source in Korea, and we check the packaging, the label and the batch number before it enters our stock. You can send us the batch number on your product, and we'll send you its documents. And if a product you bought from us is proven to be fake, we compensate you under the authenticity guarantee terms, on top of refunding its full price.
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