The cosmetics market has become one of the most important markets to make profits in recent years, especially in the Middle East and the Arab Gulf region.
The average value of a single person purchasing cosmetics and perfumes in the Arab world amounted to $334. Gulf women constitute the largest share in this purchase. According to a study, this number may reach $785 during the next five years due to the increase in consumption and improvement in the quality of these products. However, many consumers buy cheap products because of their low price tag, regardless of their harms. They are available in some discount stores.
Narjis al Maani, a housewife, said, “When my make-up budget became overwhelming, I decided to go for the cheaper products. I found it excellent. Now, it has been four years since I started using them. Even though not of high quality, they are good products and not duplicate. I wear this make-up daily. I use some brand make-up products only on occasions... It lasts longer, and I did not find any difference between them.”
Alia Zaid, an employee, said, “Families with limited income do not find a way to provide their supplies of housewares, clothes, cleaning tools, and cosmetics stuff other than discount stores, where they are available at the lowest prices”.
“Not all cheap products are bad, but there are products that claim quality and originality, and their price is very low, which makes anyone doubtful. Sometimes, one discovers that they have fallen victims to products that do not deserve half their cost.”
From a medical point of view, Dr Najla al Ameri indicates that it is not acceptable for these stores to offer medical or cosmetic stuff because this is dangerous in the long term. “Dermatology clinics are always full with patients who suffer from the misuse of these products, as most of them contain carcinogenic chemicals and unauthorised dyes, leading to serious diseases. Some cheap stores even sell creams containing strong cortisone, which damage skin and other tissues. This is not known to many people.”
Al Ameri clarified that there are medicines intended to treat diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema, which has been found that they are used a lot in making creams to lighten the skin. “After a period of use, skin addiction occurs to topical cortisone, which leads to skin atrophy, cracking and superficial aneurysm”.
Moreover, due to the new technology, the cosmetics trade has been active on social media, making it easier for both the seller and the buyer to get what they want. But how safe are these products, especially since they are bought without trying them?
Marwa Hamad, a post-graduate student, said, “accounts for promoting face and body care products through Instagram and other platforms have increased, but I can’t buy any product for my skin over these platforms. I get them from a reliable place and well-known store.
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