The rise of counterfeit products in Black hair and beauty shops is more than just a quality issue, it’s a public health concern

Every consumer deserves transparency, especially when it comes to products we put on our skin and hair. I’m calling for it to be mandatory by law for all cosmetics and personal care brands to publicly list their official stockists, retailers on their websites. This is especially urgent in the Black hair and beauty industry, where counterfeit products are widespread and often sold in Afro beauty supply shops, sometimes unknowingly.

 
Why This Matters:
As a Cosmetic Scientist and consumer myself, I’ve seen the impact firsthand. Products with harmful ingredients, poor performance, or simply not what they claim to be. Some of these counterfeits are difficult to detect and end up in the hands of trusting buyers.

For many Black consumers, beauty supply stores are the go-to for hair care products. But too often, these stores stock items that are counterfeit or expired, putting our health and well-being at risk. And worse? There's currently no legal requirement for brands to help us verify where to buy their products safely.

This lack of regulation isn’t just a local issue, it’s global. But change starts somewhere. Let it start here.

What We’re Asking For:
We are urging UK lawmakers, the Department for Business and Trade, Trading Standards, beauty regulators and global regulatory bodies to :

• Introduce legislation requiring all beauty and haircare brands to list verified stockists, and retailers publicly.
• Hold brands accountable for transparency in their supply chain. It should be non-negotiable — especially for products used on our bodies.
• Launch a consumer education campaign on how to verify authenticity and spot counterfeits.

This is not just a UK issue. It’s a global concern affecting the safety, trust, and health of Black consumers worldwide. Counterfeit and unregulated hair and beauty products are a widespread problem, and we are calling for international alignment and accountability to protect all communities.

How You Can Help:

• Sign this petition to show there is public demand for transparency.
• Share it with your network, especially those in the beauty and wellness industries.
• If you’re in a position of influence—an MP, regulator, policymaker, or brand owner—let’s talk.

Together, we can bring real change to an industry that has gone unregulated for far too long.

Let’s restore trust, safety, and dignity in Black beauty !!!