There is fake make up being sold that could cause organ damage and eye infections due to arsenic and lead

People are being warned about the dangers of buying counterfeit make up in the run-up to Christmas which may contain arsenic or lead.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority has found fake high-end beauty products on sale through markets and websites using brand names like MAC, Urban Decay and Benefit.

The HPRA says over the past year thousands of counterfeit cosmetics have been prevented from entering the country by Revenue's Customs Service.

However, some have managed to make their way onto the Irish market and are being sold through markets and websites.

An investigation found harmful substances in a number of counterfeit cosmetics using brand names like MAC, Urban Decay and Benefit.

The HPRA is warning that exposure to arsenic and lead can cause organ damage and symptoms can include stomach pain, headaches and vomiting.

Other products may have been manufactured in unhygienic conditions and may cause skin irritation or eye infections.

The advice is if the make up is significantly cheaper than high street shops, and if the packaging is faded or misspelled, then it is likely to be fake.

Earlier this week more than €200,000 worth of counterfeit goods were found at a premises in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

They included MAC make up, Michael Kors handbags, Converse shoes, UGG boots and other goods.