‘Dangerous’ skin creams could ‘scar you for life and even kill you’, councillors warn
By Sabrina Barr, September 28, 2019
Skin-lightening creams which contain banned ingredients can pose a serious threat to consumers’ health, councils have warned.
Illegal products were still available to purchase on the high street, said the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales.
The organisation has warned that the increasing popularity of skin-lightening creams had led to “inferior toxic products” infiltrating the market, containing ingredients such as bleaching agent hydroquinone and mercury.
Hydroquinone – described as the “biological equivalent of paint stripper” – can remove the top layer of skin, increasing a person’s risk of skin cancer, liver and kidney damage.
Mercury can also lead to the development of life-threatening health problems.
The LGA said that “rogue retailers” who sell the illegal skin-lightening lotions frequently label the ingredients on the products incorrectly.
Skin-lightening products containing banned ingredients can also be bought at low prices online, at car boot sales and from market stalls.
“Skin creams containing banned ingredients are very dangerous and could seriously damage your health, scar you for life and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs,” said Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board.
“Consumers should always check the ingredients of their skin creams, be suspicious of very low prices which are likely to indicate the lotion is fake and potentially harmful, and never use a product containing hydroquinone. If the product doesn’t display the ingredients at all, then don’t use it.”
Skin-lightening products are typically targeted at consumers who are black or from ethnic minorities.
The creams can also be used to lighten hyperpigmentation and treat acne scarring.
Those which are purchased on prescription should only be used under the supervision of a doctor, the LGA advised.
The cost of buying skin-lightening products which do not contain banned ingredients can be high, which is why “toxic” alternatives are being sold at a cheaper price.
“Councils have been targeting rogue retailers selling these banned creams and people should report any concerns so that town halls can take action to prevent anyone from buying these lotions, potentially ruining their looks forever,” Mr Blackburn said.
If retailers are found selling illegal skin-lightening creams, they could face fines of up to £20,000 and prosecution.
Mr Blackburn added that next year’s governmental Spending Review “needs to provide the long-term, sustainable settlement councils need to ensure trading standards teams are sufficiently funded to protect the public from harm”.
In 2017, the global skin-lightening industry was valued at an estimated $4.8bn (£3.9bn), the LGA said.
By 2027, it is predicted to grow to a worth of $8.9bn (£7.3bn).
Illegal skin-lightening creams can be imported to the UK from other areas of the world including Pakistan, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Southwark Council recently seized 275 products from a cosmetics store after an investigation found some of the items contained hydroquinone.
Meanwhile, 360 skin-lightening products were recently seized from a store in Dagenham, some of which contained the harmful bleaching agent.
The LGA said that if anyone is suspicious of a cream they have purchased, they should stop using it straight away.
Avoid skin-lightening creams ‘at all costs’
BBC News, September 28, 2019
Consumers are being warned to steer clear of skin lightening creams that can “act like paint stripper”.
The Local Government Association warns the products should be “avoided at all costs” after recent seizures by trading standards officers.
Many contained the bleaching agent hydroquinone – the creams can also contain mercury.
The British Skin Foundation said people should speak to a doctor if they had any concerns about their skin.
The LGA says the toxic products are being sold by rogue retailers, as well as online and at car boot sales and market stalls.
And they do not always spell out the correct levels of ingredients, putting consumers at risk.
Hydroquinone, described by the LGA as “the biological equivalent of paint stripper”, can remove the top layer of skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer, and cause fatal liver and kidney damage. Mercury can cause similar life-threatening health problems.
Unless they are issued on prescription by a doctor, creams containing hydroquinone, steroids or mercury are banned in the UK – because of their potentially serious side-effects.
‘Avoid at all costs’
The LGA highlighted several recent seizures including –
- The seizure of 360 products from a store in Dagenham, some of which contained hydroquinone. Ingredients were listed incorrectly and failed to meet EU regulations. The store’s owners were fined £6,500 and ordered to pay £8,010 to the council
- Southwark Council seized about 2,900 skin-whitening products, most of which had been imported directly from Nigeria, in a single raid in 2018. It also saw what is believed to be the UK’s first jail sentence for the sale of dangerous skin lightening products
- A quarter of a tonne of illegal skin lightening products were seized at Gatwick Airport after arriving from Cameroon. Samples were found to contain hydroquinone
But the LGA said the ability of trading standards officers to keep on top of the problem was being threatened by cuts to council budgets.
Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Skin creams containing banned ingredients are very dangerous and could seriously damage your health, scar you for life and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs.
“Consumers should always check the ingredients of their skin creams, be suspicious of very low prices which are likely to indicate the lotion is fake and potentially harmful, and never use a product containing hydroquinone.
“If the product doesn’t display the ingredients at all, then don’t use it.”
He added: “Councils have been targeting rogue retailers selling these banned creams and people should report any concerns so that town halls can take action to prevent anyone from buying these lotions, potentially ruining their looks forever.”
Lisa Bickerstaffe, a spokeswoman for the British Skin Foundation, said the issue of illegal skin lightening creams came up “year after year”.
She added: “It’s difficult to know whether the problem is increasing due to the illicit way the products are sold under the counter and online.
“Ingredients in these cosmetics can cause serious health problems and the British Skin Foundation strongly advises against using them.
“Speak to your dermatologist or GP if you have any concerns about your skin tone and they will be able to advise accordingly.”
See also My self-worth was compromised by skin-lightening cream adverts, says Lupita Nyong’o
Sources: BBC News & The Independent UK
