What banned ingredients are found in illegal skin lightening creams sold in the UK?

Illegal skin lightening creams sold in the UK have been found to contain dangerous banned ingredients such as mercury, hydroquinone, and potent steroid drugs.

What are the health risks associated with mercury in skin lightening products?

Mercury is highly toxic and can damage the skin, and be absorbed into the body, harming the kidneys, liver, lungs, nerves, and brain.

Are there safe alternatives to illegal skin lightening products?

Yes, some legal cosmetics use ingredients like Vitamin C, niacinamide, or retinoids for gradual tone improvement, offering safer alternatives to illegal products.

Home / Health / Banned Skin Lighteners Found on UK High Streets

Banned Skin Lighteners Found on UK High Streets

25 Feb

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Summary

Dangerous skin lightening creams with banned ingredients are sold illegally.
Mercury, hydroquinone, and strong steroids are found in unsafe products.
These products pose serious health risks including kidney and nerve damage.

Banned Skin Lighteners Found on UK High Streets

Illegally marketed skin lightening creams containing dangerous banned ingredients are surfacing on UK high streets, even in unassuming shops. These products often feature mercury, hydroquinone, or potent steroids, posing serious health threats.

Mercury, a toxic metal, can severely damage kidneys, liver, lungs, nerves, and the brain. Hydroquinone, available by prescription for specific conditions, can cause skin irritation and long-term discolouration if misused. Potent steroid creams, also prescription-only, carry risks of thinning skin, acne, diabetes, and osteoporosis with prolonged use.

While some legal cosmetics use ingredients like Vitamin C or retinoids for gradual tone improvement, illegal products promise rapid results using dangerous chemicals. UK law requires clear ingredient lists and manufacturer information; missing details are a warning sign.

Enforcement actions have occurred, yet these hazardous creams persist. The underlying issue of colourism and unrealistic beauty standards drives the demand for such risky products, highlighting a societal harm.

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