Watchdog Warns: Illegal Skin Creams Sold Widely

Illegal and dangerous skin lightening products are being discovered in an array of UK retail locations, including butchers and specialist food shops, alongside online sales, according to a recent warning from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

The CTSI noted that many of these illicit creams contain banned substances like hydroquinone, mercury, and potent corticosteroids. These ingredients are prohibited due to their capacity to escalate the risks of severe skin damage, infections, and complications during pregnancy.

Individuals are reportedly driven to use these products by complex social pressures, including colourism, a form of discrimination that favors lighter skin tones. Reports from individuals, such as Daniel Murrell-Williamson, detail personal experiences with these dangerous creams, which can lead to serious health issues like cancer, liver, and kidney damage.

A cosmetics retailer in Peckham, London, was recently fined £30,000 for a second offense of selling illegal skin lighteners. The CTSI advises consumers to never use these products on children, avoid unverified sellers and social media accounts, and consult a doctor before attempting to alter skin tone, emphasizing that ignorance of the law is not a defense for suppliers.