Quick answer
Packaging is the cheapest part of a counterfeit to get right. The checks most buyers rely on are the ones counterfeiters solved first.
Want the authentic one? Every product on TheSkinProof is invoice-verified.
Check a product free →The checks that stopped working
1. The hologram
Holographic stickers are manufactured to order in bulk. A convincing one costs a counterfeiter almost nothing.
2. The shrink wrap and seal
Resealing equipment is commodity kit. An intact seal tells you the box was sealed, not who sealed it.
3. The QR code
A QR is only as good as what it points at. Many print a code that resolves to the brand's public homepage — which any sticker can do.
4. Print quality and font
Worth a glance, but the gap has closed. Poor printing catches a lazy fake; it misses a good one.
5. Smell and texture
These are the tells most people mention, and they are the worst ones — because you only reach them after buying and using the product.
What does still work
A batch code that can be matched to an importer's record, and a seller who can produce that record. That is a chain of custody rather than an appearance.
> The general rule: anything printed on the box can be printed on a fake box. Only information held outside the box — an import record — is hard to forge.
Also read
Verifying a batch code · what BSTI clearance means
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Frequently asked questions
What actually proves a skincare product is fake, if the hologram and seal don't?
Matching the batch code on the box to the one on the container, checking print quality closely, and noticing any change in texture or smell after opening are stronger signs than a hologram or seal alone. None of these guarantee authenticity by themselves, which is why they should be checked together.
Where can I buy original skincare in Bangladesh if packaging checks aren't reliable?
Buy from a seller who can show the importer's invoice and batch number for that specific unit. TheSkinProof is an invoice-verified skincare marketplace where products are matched against the invoice and batch before being listed.
Can humid storage in Bangladesh make an original product seem fake?
Yes, heat and humidity can change a product's texture or scent even when it's genuine, especially if it sat in a hot warehouse or shop window. If the batch code still matches and the seal was intact at purchase, a texture change from storage alone doesn't necessarily mean it's fake.