DRC: The use of counterfeit beauty products poses a major health risk (A dermatologist)

Kinshasa, July 21^st, 2026 (CPA). – The use of counterfeit beauty products in the Democratic Republic of the Congo poses a major health risk to the human population, a dermatologist at a public hospital in Kinshasa, the country’s capital, has warned on Tuesday. “Many of the beauty products used by most women often contain toxic substances, bacteria, urine or faeces. Their use poses a major health risk to humans,” has declared Dr Perry Baefa, a dermatologist at the Cinquantenaire Hospital. According to him, the consequences of using toxic products on the human body are numerous and sometimes serious, citing, amongst other things, chemical burns, intense itching, the onset of acute eczema or oedema, and eye and skin infections. The dermatologist has further lamented the sale of certain cosmetic products containing toxic substances, which damage the skin, whilst the authorities are unable to intervene. This specialist has also strongly criticised the behaviour of so-called ‘influencers’ who are involved in the trade of these substandard products. “Many influencers have become traders and resellers of beauty products without holding a health-related qualification, even though the sale or trade of these products requires a certain level of knowledge,” he has said. To remedy this situation, the dermatologist has advised users to purchase these products only from official distributors and, above all, to follow the recommendations regarding their use to ensure greater safety.