Elizabeth Berrett
British summer is doing that familiar thing where it flirts outrageously from across the garden fence, then turns up an hour later wearing a grey cardigan and disappointment. Still, the minute the sun so much as clears its throat, we all reach for sunglasses like they’re a national emergency ration—ready for gardens, balconies, dog walks and that sacred British sport: pretending it’s hotter than it is.
But before you slap on those “designer” shades you found online for the price of a meal deal, experts are waving a big red flag: fake gear isn’t just a style crime—it can be a health one.
Research by designer watch and sunglasses specialist Tic Watches suggests a third of British adults (32%) admit to owning a fake designer product, with over 100 million counterfeit products thought to be present in the UK. Men are reportedly more likely than women to own a counterfeit imitation designer good (35% versus 30%), and 7% of men even confess to owning 15 or more ‘fake’ items. That’s not a wardrobe—it’s a black market loyalty scheme.
Fake sunglasses: when “cheap and cheerful” turns into “expensive and painful”
Danny Richmond, Managing Director of Tic Watches, says the biggest danger with fake eyewear is what you don’t get—proper protection.
“Dodgy designer glasses can be harmful because they are often made from cheap materials and will rarely provide any protection for UV light. UV rays from the sun can cause long-term eye damage or even permanent loss of vision.”
And here’s the cruel twist: sunglasses that dim visible light without filtering UV can actually make things worse.
“Not only can fake sunglasses fail to prevent UV, they can also mean more harm to your eyes. Because the sunglasses stop some of the visible light, your pupils will naturally dilate to absorb more light and with no UV filter, this can be harmful.”
Think of it like opening the curtains wider… during a hailstorm. Your eyes dilate, more light gets in, and if UV isn’t being blocked, you’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for the very rays you’re trying to avoid.
A University of Utah study in 2018 found this additional UV exposure can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration (which can lead to blindness), or the development of ocular cancer. Suddenly, those bargain-bin shades don’t look quite so heroic.
It’s not just sunglasses: counterfeit beauty products can be worse than a bad haircut
If you thought fake sunglasses were the only danger in the knockoff economy, the cosmetics aisle would like a word.
Counterfeit beauty products can contain unknown—and frankly terrifying—levels of toxins. They’re rarely dermatologically tested, not properly regulated, and the ingredient list can read like a chemistry exam written by chaos.
According to the warning, counterfeit perfumes seized in the UK by Trading Standards have been found to contain dangerously high levels of methanol. Other seized fake cosmetics have contained toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and even human faeces—substances linked to chemical burns and skin rashes.
Yes, you read that correctly. Human. Faeces. In a beauty product. Suddenly that “too good to be true” deal starts to smell exactly like what it is.
“My skin could definitely feel the difference”
For 21-year-old fashion blogger Justina Sharp, the danger wasn’t theoretical—it arrived by post, gift-wrapped in counterfeit confidence.
She said: “I was sent a package by a company, which included a few goodies, including what appeared to be a small bottle of one of my favourite Dior perfumes – the one I always use.
“The minute I sprayed it on my skin, I broke out, and there was a strange smell on my skin. It turned into a horrific rash, which did not go down for days and was itchy and painful.
Upon closer inspection of the contents of the bottle, I noticed a very slight difference in colour, scent, to the original. It was a really brilliant knockoff, but my skin could definitely feel the difference.”
That’s the problem with fakes: they can look nearly perfect—until your body is the one doing the quality control.
How to protect yourself this summer (without losing your style)
No one’s saying you need to wear a welding mask and buy moisturiser directly from the laboratory. But if you’re buying sunglasses or beauty products online—especially “designer” items at suspicious prices—treat it like you would a dodgy kebab at midnight: you might survive it, but why take the risk?
A few sensible rules of thumb:
- If the price makes you feel smug, it should probably make you suspicious.
- Stick to authorised retailers for designer brands.
- Be wary of marketplaces and social ads with limited contact details or vague returns policies.
- For sunglasses, look for proper UV protection claims (UV400/100% UV) from reputable sellers—not just “fashion lens” fluff.
Because summer in Britain is fleeting enough. You don’t want the souvenir to be a rash, a regret, or eyes that feel like they’ve stared directly into the sun—because, in a way, they have.
