The Korea Consumer Agency urged caution, saying, “As cosmetics sales have recently increased, mainly online, consumer damage has continued to occur.” In particular, he emphasized the need for caution as there have been cases of people promoting cosmetics as free trials and then charging for them later.

Over the past four years (2020 to September 2023), the number of applications for cosmetics-related damage relief filed with the Korea Consumer Agency (Director Soo-hyun Yoon) is increasing, with a total of 817 cases. By sales method, ‘online sales’ was the largest at 69.0% (564 cases), and in 2022 (216 cases), it more than doubled compared to the previous year (100 cases).

# Purchasing cosmetics, 2 out of 3 use online stores

Looking at the type of damage, ‘contract-related’ damages were the most common at 59.2% (484 cases), followed by ‘quality-related’ 30.9% (252 cases), ‘non-compliance with labeling and advertising’ at 4.7% (38 cases), and ‘unfair acts’ at 4.5% (37 cases). (Gun) was in that order.

Among 'contract-related' damages, caution is required as about 10% (81 cases) are cases where the product is returned after receiving a phone call from the business, agreeing to a free trial, using only the sample, and then being charged for the product because the packaging was opened. .

There were many cases of ‘quality-related’ damage in which side effects occurred during product use and refunds and compensation were denied even though proof data was provided to the business operator.

Status by sales method and damage type (unit: cases, %)

▲ Source: Korea Consumer Agency

# People in their 30s and 40s are most affected, and the rate of door-to-door sales purchases among people in their 60s and older is relatively high.

Analyzing the 802 cases where age was confirmed, '30s' accounted for the most at 28.9% (232 cases), followed by '40s' at 26.7% (214 cases), '50s' at 16.6% (133 cases), and '20s'. ' followed by 16.5% (132 cases). Among all age groups, ‘online sales’ was the most common, and for those in their 60s or older, 38.5% (35 cases) of purchases were through ‘door-to-door sales,’ a relatively high proportion compared to other age groups.

Status by age group and damage type (unit: cases, %)

Meanwhile, the Korea Consumer Agency emphasized precautions to prevent consumer damage related to cosmetics. According to the precautions announced by the Consumer Agency, ▲Check the return period during the free trial and do not open the packaging of the main product among the components. ▲Check the contract details carefully and receive a contract. ▲Contracts that include skin care services. In this case, you must write a contract for each cosmetics and skin care service. ▲ Be careful about using online shopping malls that advertise deep discounts and use credit cards. ▲ Check the product's ingredients and reviews in advance to prepare for the possibility of side effects. .

Consumer dispute resolution standards for each item