The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has just released the results of its intensified cosmetic supervision at the beginning of 2025. Findings of illegal products have drastically increased more than 10-fold, reaching a value of Rp31.7 billion. This figure is a significant jump compared to the same period last year, which was only Rp2.8 billion.
The Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, stated that this surge is due to a shift in public consumption patterns, which tend to buy cosmetics online, especially based on reviews from influencers. This condition is exploited by irresponsible parties to sell illegal cosmetics or those containing hazardous materials.
“The current trend of illegal cosmetics rampant in the market not only includes products without distribution permits or containing hazardous materials but also blue-labeled skincare and beauty injections that should only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. However, these products are now widely sold freely on e-commerce platforms,” explained Taruna Ikrar.
He added that 60% of illegal cosmetic findings are from imported products and are mostly distributed through online media.
In the supervision results conducted from February 10–18, 2025, throughout Indonesia, BPOM found 91 brands of illegal cosmetics with 4,334 items or 205,133 pieces. These products contain hazardous materials, do not have distribution permits, or do not comply with the established definition of cosmetics. In fact, some of them were found in expired conditions.
Taruna Ikrar also revealed a new modus operandi used by unscrupulous individuals to deceive consumers, namely by including fictitious distribution permit numbers.
“We found two main modes. First, the falsification of distribution permit numbers from other products to be used on illegal products. Second, the inclusion of fake distribution permit numbers on blue labels. This is a serious violation and we will follow up to the pro-justitia process.”
Of the 709 facilities inspected, 340 facilities (48%) were declared non-compliant. The majority of violations were found at distributors (40%), followed by beauty clinics (25.59%), resellers (18.24%), Cosmetic Notification Business Entities (5%), industries (4.71%), brand owners (3.53%), and importers (2.94%).
“Our society tends to want instant results to look beautiful and white, without checking product safety. The presence of BPOM is very important to provide protection and education to consumers,” explained Mufti.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order of the Ministry of Trade, Moga Simatupang, emphasized that cross-sector supervision will continue to be strengthened. He urged business actors to stop engaging in fraudulent practices in running their businesses.
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