Advice on illegal skin lightening products and banned products. Illegal ingredients and their effects. How to report sales of illegal products.
The supply of illegal skin lightening products is an ongoing community safety issue.
The creams, lotions and oils may be used to deal with localised blemishes or meet a desire for an overall lighter appearance. This desire is driven by complex social, cultural and historical factors.
Many contain ingredients that are banned because they are dangerous to health and cause permanent skin damage. There are hundreds of different brands made around the world. Some are made in two or more versions depending on the countries they're intended to be sold in as the rules are not the same everywhere.
Tell us about anyone selling illegal products.
Search the London Trading Standards' list of banned skin lighteners.
Many leading brands are reformulated with new ingredients. You must check the labelling if you’re selling skin lighteners.
Contact us using our enquiry form if you have any questions.
Several harmful, banned ingredients can be used in skin lighteners, including:
Some countries haven't banned these ingredients in skin lighteners, so it's legal to manufacture and supply them there. They are banned in the UK and EU.
Steroid-based creams are available on prescription in the UK for genuine medical reasons. They should not be found in cosmetic products or be sold anywhere other than a pharmacy.
We're doing our best to make sure illegal skin lighteners are not sold in Southwark, including advising local traders of the rules. Businesses do not always check if their stock is legal. Unscrupulous traders may also sell products they know they should not, with no regard for the health of their customers.
If you use products with these ingredients, stop immediately and talk to your doctor about any skin damage or health problems.
Hydroquinone inhibits production of the pigment melanin which gives skin its colour. Melanin is vital to protect the skin against UV radiation, so your body will overcompensate by producing more melanin which can result in:
Mercury and its compounds are also found in skin lightening creams. Mercury is very toxic. It accumulates in the body and damages the kidneys, liver and brain causing serious and potentially fatal health problems.
Topical corticosteroids include clobetasol propionate, betamethasone and fluocinonide. There are genuine medicinal uses for steroids, but due to potentially harmful side effects, their use should be strictly controlled by a doctor or pharmacist. In the UK, any product containing steroids must be a licensed medicine and only available on prescription.
Misusing corticosteroids can cause: