You’ve found that perfume that usually costs €120 for just €45, and you’re just a click away from buying it. The question is inevitable: is it too good to be true?
Sometimes not. A sample, a discontinued batch or a seasonal clearance sale might be heavily discounted. But other times it is, and then what arrives at your door isn’t what you thought you’d bought.
However, it is possible to tell a genuine perfume from a fake one. We’ll show you how!
Before you buy
The price
That’s the first thing that makes us wary, but there may be an explanation. If we see discounts of 30 or 40% on large-format products, testers, discontinued editions or stock from the previous season, then the discount is justified and it may well be a genuine product. What is suspicious, however, is when a recent launch from a high-end perfume brand is priced at 70 or 80% below the official price. Furthermore, if no one else on the market is even close to that price, there’s a reason for it.
Who sells it?
If the price has made you hesitate, check this information at the shop where it’s sold:
- Visible tax identification number. Company name, tax registration number and address in the legal notice.
- A clear returns policy, with specific deadlines and procedures.
- Customer service – please provide your name and telephone number, Not just a contact form.
- Product photos taken by us, different from the brand’s official images.
- Career: years in business, high street shop, reviews showing a track record.
If this information is unclear or is missing altogether, be wary. Furthermore, if the seller only accepts bank transfers or payment methods that offer no buyer protection, or if the domain was registered less than three months ago, don’t even take the risk – it looks very dodgy.
How the product is described
An authorised sales representative knows what they’re selling: they go into detail the gathering (eau de parfum, eau de toilette, parfum), the exact volume in millilitres and a clear distinction is made between products for sale and samples.
When this information is missing, or the term «perfume» is used indiscriminately for everything, it is usually because the seller does not have a proper understanding of the product. If you are not entirely clear about the differences, we explain them in differences between cologne, perfume, fragrance, scent and aroma and, in more technical detail, at Types of fragrances according to their concentration.
That detail affects the price: an eau de toilette costs considerably less than the eau de parfum of the same name. Many «bargains» aren’t counterfeits, but simply a different concentration from the one you thought you were buying.
After making a purchase
The cellophane and the box
The seal is the first thing you notice, and it is where counterfeits most often fail. Genuine cellophane It fits snugly around the contour of the box, with neat, symmetrical folds and a continuous heat-seal. When opened, it tears cleanly without stretching. That of a forgery It often ends up loose, with creases, uneven folds or visible traces of adhesive. Sometimes the seal is uneven and looks as though it has been done by hand.
On the box, look out for print quality. The originals have crisp lettering, rich colours and clean-cut edges. The copies tend to have dull colours, ink that has bled slightly in the fine details, and thinner cardboard that gives way when pressed with a thumb.
Finally, check mandatory legal labelling in the European Union: list of ingredients (INCI), net volume, PAO symbol (the open jar with the number of months’ use), details of the responsible party or European importer, and the open book symbol if the packaging refers to additional information. A counterfeit product usually omits one or more of these elements, features text in only one language, or lists an importer that does not exist.
The batch number
Every genuine perfume has a printed or engraved batch number (never on a sticker) and it appears in two places: the box and the jar. And they have to match.
It is the quickest verification method available and one of the most reliable. Counterfeit products often only print the batch number on the box, use different numbers in different places, or place it on a sticky label that can be peeled off with a fingernail.
The barcode doesn’t work
There is a belief that you can «verify» a perfume by entering its barcode on a website. That is not true, and it is important to be clear about this.
A barcode is a commercial identifier, and it is copied in exactly the same way as a box is copied: counterfeiters can reproduce the original product’s code with no difficulty whatsoever. The fact that the code «exists» and returns the correct name proves absolutely nothing about the bottle in front of you.
Tools that check batch numbers (such as CheckFresh or CheckCosmetic) are certainly useful, but it is important to understand exactly what they do: They tell you the date of manufacture, not whether it’s genuine. They are used to determine whether a perfume is vintage, not to determine whether it is a fake.
The bottle, the atomiser and the liquid
This is where counterfeits are almost always given away, because replicating a bottle is much more expensive than replicating a box.
- Glass. The originals are made from thick, uniform glass, with no trapped air bubbles or visible seams on the sides. If you see internal bubbles, burrs on the base or the glass feels thin and light, be wary.
- The weight. A genuine bottle weighs more than it looks. It’s one of the first things you notice as soon as you pick it up.
- The cap and the atomiser. The cap must fit snugly, with no play or rattling when moved; many brands use a magnet or a closure that makes a distinctive clicking sound. The atomiser must produce a fine, even mist. If it sprays in a jet, splashes or drips down the neck, that’s a bad sign.
- The liquid. Clear and free from suspended particles, unless the formula is intentionally coloured. If the colour is darker than expected, there is sediment at the bottom or any cloudiness, this is reason enough not to use it.
Smell and how it changes over time
An authentic perfume It develops in stages. The top notes last for the first few minutes, followed by the middle notes, and after a few hours only the base notes remain. This progression is no coincidence: it is the result of a layered formula, with raw materials that evaporate at different rates.
A forgery, on the other hand, It smells the same the whole time and fades quickly. It usually starts with a very sharp alcoholic kick, roughly mimics the aroma for about twenty minutes, and then leaves no trace. If a eau de parfum It’s gone in an hour; it isn’t eau de parfum.
We explain how this structure is built in phases in how perfumes are made. And if your perfume fades quickly but is genuine, it might just be a matter of how you apply it: how to apply perfume correctly.
A perfume sample is indeed genuine
There is a widespread misconception that leads many people to turn down perfectly legitimate bargains.
A tester is a genuine perfume. It comes off the same production line, with the same formula and the same liquid as the retail version. The only difference is the packaging: it comes in a plain white or cardboard box, sometimes without a cap, and is usually labelled «tester» or «demonstration». It is designed for perfumeries to make it available to customers at the point of sale.
That’s why it costs less. Because you’re not paying for the luxury box or the packaging. You’re paying for the perfume.
A sample makes sense when you’re looking for the best price per millilitre and the packaging doesn’t matter to you, when it’s for yourself rather than a gift, and when you’re buying a large size and want it to last. It doesn’t make sense if it’s a gift (in which case the presentation is part of the thoughtfulness, and it’s worth taking a closer look reasons to give a perfume set as a gift) or if you’d like the whole bottle with its designer cap.
Mind you: Just because a product is advertised as a «tester» does not automatically make it genuine. It is a format that counterfeiters use precisely because it justifies a low price and poor packaging. A genuine tester will still have its batch number printed on it, a high-quality bottle and a full INCI list.
Replicas, imitations and counterfeits are not the same thing
They are used as synonyms, but they are not:
- A forgery It copies the brand name, the product name and the packaging to pass itself off as the original product. This is illegal, and it is what we are trying to help you spot with the advice in this post.
- An imitation or dupe It is a perfume with its own brand and its own name, which openly states that its composition is inspired by another fragrance. It is legal. It does not set out to mislead you: it offers you an affordable alternative, whilst you are fully aware of exactly what you are buying.
Why it is important
A fake perfume isn’t just a waste of money.
Counterfeit products are manufactured without any health and safety controls. Tests have revealed the presence of alcohol unsuitable for cosmetic use, allergen concentrations far exceeding the legal limit, and contaminants that should not be present in any product intended to come into contact with the skin. The most common consequences are contact dermatitis and allergic reactions, and as the product is completely opaque, there is no way of knowing which ingredient has caused them.
If you often have a reaction to cosmetic products, in how to avoid make-up allergies We explain how to identify the manufacturer, which is only possible when the INCI list on the packaging is accurate.
And there is another reason, less serious but just as real: if the formula isn’t the original one, The perfume doesn’t smell as it should. The fragrance you wanted to buy simply isn’t there.
Don’t take any risks when buying perfume
All these signs are useful, but it’s important to recognise them for what they are: signs. They apply when you are no longer sure what you have bought.
Making the perfume you’re looking for is actually much simpler. Shop at a perfume shop that works directly with the brands and stands behind what it sells.
At Sam Parfums, we have been working through official distribution channels for many years and have a high-street shop in the Canary Islands as well as our website. You can view our catalogue of women's fragrances y men's fragrances, and if you have any questions about a specific product, please write to us: we’ll tell you exactly what it is and where it comes from.
And if you’re looking to choose the right perfume itself – not just its origin – here are two guides to help you: how to choose men’s fragrances y Which perfume to choose for the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a perfume is genuine by looking at the barcode?
It’s not possible. The barcode is a commercial identifier that counterfeiters can easily copy from the original product, so websites that claim to verify authenticity using this method cannot be trusted. What you can check, however, is the batch number: it must be printed or engraved — never on a sticker — and must match on both the box and the bottle.
Is a perfume sample genuine?
Yes. A tester is the same perfume, from the same production line, presented in simple packaging and sometimes without a cap. It costs less because you’re not paying for the packaging. However, just because something is advertised as a tester doesn’t guarantee that it actually is one: you should still check the batch number, the quality of the bottle and the INCI.
How long should a genuine perfume last on the skin?
It depends on the concentration: an eau de toilette lasts between three and five hours, an eau de parfum between six and eight, and a parfum can last longer than eight. If an eau de parfum fades within an hour, that’s cause for concern, although skin type and the way it’s applied also play a part.
What should I do if I think I've bought a fake perfume?
Do not use it. Make a complaint to the seller and also to the payment platform: if you paid by card or via a payment gateway offering buyer protection, there are ways to get your money back. Keep the packaging and the receipt, and if you wish to take further action, you can report it to the consumer affairs office in your autonomous community. If you’ve already applied it and notice any irritation, wash the area with mild soap and water and consult a healthcare professional.
Is it safe to buy perfumes online?
Yes, provided you buy from a verifiable seller: one with visible tax details, a returns policy and a customer service team you can contact. The sales channel isn’t the problem; the seller is.