A total of 237 posts advertising cosmetics improperly as 'dermatologist recommended' and 'hospital exclusive' were identified.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 23rd that it identified 237 posts violating the Cosmetics Act among those selling cosmetics online. The ministry requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block access to these posts.
The most common type of advertisement was one that could be mistaken for drugs (48%). Additionally, there were advertisements that misled consumers by presenting false facts or could lead consumers to misunderstand (38%), and advertisements that misrepresented regular cosmetics as functional cosmetics claiming 'wrinkle improvement' or contained different information from the functional cosmetics review (14%).
The ministry plans to conduct on-site inspections of 35 responsible sales locations that posted such advertisements and will take administrative actions. A ministry official noted, 'We will address the issues of false and exaggerated advertising in cosmetics and reduce consumer harm.'