In recent times, a series of cases related to counterfeit and substandard cosmetics have been uncovered by authorities, raising concerns among the public about the safety of skincare products readily available on social media and e-commerce platforms.
Recently, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police initiated legal proceedings and arrested Nguyen Thi Dung (based in Thanh Hoa) on charges of “Production and Trading of Counterfeit Goods”. According to the investigation, around December 2024, Dung started selling cosmetics via Facebook.
Taking advantage of the lax nature of online transactions, Dung mixed cheap creams and serums costing only 50,000 VND/kg, added colors and fragrances, and packaged them in old cosmetic bottles to sell as genuine products. From that point until her arrest, she successfully sold over 1,000 orders nationwide.
In May 2025, the Investigation Police Agency of Bac Giang Province also temporarily detained Nguyen Van Khanh, the owner of a large-scale facility producing and trading counterfeit cosmetics. The authorities seized nearly 2,500 counterfeit cosmetic products and initially determined that Khanh had distributed over 100,000 orders through e-commerce platforms, earning illicit profits of more than 6 billion VND.
The prevalence of homemade creams online
Despite continuous exposure and handling of these cases, the reality is that the production and trading of homemade creams are still rampant online. Many sellers unabashedly livestream the process of mixing creams in plastic or stainless steel tubs, creating a colorful and unappealing image.
Alarmingly, some even use their bare hands or feet to stir the cream to attract views, causing viewers to cringe.
These products are often advertised as imported cream bases from Thailand, Japan, England, and France, with claims of being able to whiten skin within 7 to 14 days without side effects such as peeling or yellowing hair. After mixing, the cream is packaged into simple plastic jars and sold to consumers at a mere few hundred thousand VND.
One seller, named Nguyen Ngan, promotes a “100% traditional mixed cream with Thai base” for 250,000 VND/250g jar and 450,000 VND/500g jar. She asserts that the product helps remove dark spots, evens out skin tone, and is easily absorbed even for those with resistant skin.
Another account, named Thy Diem, offers a “Super Whitening Body Cream”, marketed as providing a “natural white – real white, not fake white” effect. The cream is described as “super fine, super absorbent”, guaranteeing skin whitening after two weeks of use without peeling or damage.
In Ca Mau, authorities discovered a large quantity of cosmetics of unknown origin being sold at extremely low prices: just 75,000 VND/250g jar, 110,000 VND/500g jar, and even wholesale prices of 160,000 VND/kg. Many sellers encourage buyers to purchase in bulk to establish an exclusive brand.
Worryingly, some accounts not only sell products but also post videos instructing viewers on how to mix creams at home, vaguely assuring that “as long as the cream is good, mixing it yourself will make your skin white and safe.”
Dermatology experts warn consumers to be extremely cautious. Using or mixing cosmetics without understanding the ingredients, ratios, or one’s skin type can lead to serious consequences such as allergies, skin infections, or even destruction of the skin’s protective barrier.
“Many ingredients may seem harmless, but when combined incorrectly, they can cause reactions such as redness, rashes, dry and flaky skin, itching, and even mild burns. If left untreated, the damage can spread, leaving dark scars and significantly affecting aesthetics and the patient’s psychology,” warns an expert.
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