In Bangladesh you’ll see skincare advertised as “first copy,” “master copy,” “1:1,” or “replica.” Sellers use these words to sound premium. The truth: they are all counterfeit. Here’s the breakdown.
The terms decoded
- Original / authentic — genuinely made by the brand, imported through a documented supply chain. The only safe option.
- First copy / master copy / 1:1 — a counterfeit designed to look as close to the original as possible. Still fake, still unregulated.
- Replica (counterfeit) — a copy of the packaging and name; the formula inside is unknown.
- Refill / decanted — sold loose or repackaged; you cannot verify what’s inside.
Why “first copy” is dangerous, not a bargain
A first-copy cream is made in an unregulated facility with unknown ingredients. Lab tests of Bangladeshi counterfeits have found mercury, steroids and bleach. The packaging may look identical, but your skin reacts to the *formula*, not the box. (See mercury dangers and banned products.)
Note: a genuine “dupe” (an affordable product with a *similar formula* sold honestly under its own brand) is different and fine — the problem is counterfeits pretending to be a brand they’re not.
How to guarantee you get the original
Don’t rely on the seller’s words — rely on proof. TheSkinProof sells only originals, each invoice-verified and batch-checked, with a 2× money-back guarantee if any product is ever proven counterfeit. Verify anything you already own on the Product Checker, and shop guaranteed-original skincare at The Skin Proof.
Before you buy: check authenticity, not price
Don’t chase the cheapest product — look for the authentic one. A cheap fake can damage your skin, and using nothing at all does less harm than using a counterfeit. But a high price doesn’t guarantee authenticity either — people overpay for fakes too. So judge by authenticity, not price.
TheSkinProof offers free authenticity verification. Message our Facebook page with the product and we’ll analyze it and tell you whether it’s real or fake — so it’s important to verify before you buy anything. Or simply buy from TheSkinProof, where every product is already invoice-verified with a 2× money-back guarantee.
