Illegal skin lightening cream being sold in UK butchers, watchdog warns

Illegal Skin Lightening Cream Being Sold in UK Butchers, Watchdog Warns

Illegal skin lightening products are emerging in unexpected locations across the UK, including butchers and specialty food shops, as well as online marketplaces. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued a serious warning regarding the dangers of these illicit creams.

Dangers of Illegal Skin Lightening Products

– The CTSI has identified a troubling trend with these harmful products becoming more widely available.
– Tendy Lindsay, a member of the CTSI and former chair, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “The sale of illegal skin lightening products is not only dangerous; it is unlawful.”
– Many of these creams contain hazardous ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury, and potent corticosteroids. These substances are banned due to their potential to cause severe skin damage, increase the risk of infections, and lead to complications during pregnancy.

Underlying Causes of Demand

– The demand for skin lightening is influenced by “complex social and personal factors,” including colourism—discrimination favoring lighter skin tones.
– A recent BBC report highlighted the dangers associated with these illegal products. In an interview on Morning Live, Daniel Murrell-Williamson shared his experience as a 17-year-old who unknowingly used a toxic cream for two months to mask acne scars.
– “I noticed a difference in my complexion and felt pressured to maintain it because I feared reverting to my original skin tone,” he recounted, revealing he applied the bleaching cream all over his body daily.

Real-Life Consequences

– Users like Arlene Dihoulou began using skin lightening creams due to experiences with colourism and racism during childhood, often unaware of the associated risks.
– Southwark Trading Standards reported a cosmetics retailer in Peckham being fined £30,000 for repeatedly selling illegal skin lighteners. Since 2002, 62 individuals and businesses in the borough have faced prosecution for similar offenses.

Safety Recommendations

The CTSI provides critical guidelines for consumers to protect themselves:

– Avoid using skin lightening products on children.
– Do not purchase from unverified sellers or social media accounts; steer clear of online marketplaces for cosmetics.
– Consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any product intended to change skin tone.

Conclusion

Tendy Lindsay expressed ongoing concern about the societal pressures driving the demand for illegal skin lightening products, noting that “colourism and harmful beauty standards can create vulnerability.” Those supplying these dangerous items must understand that ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Consumers must remain vigilant to protect their health and well-being against these illicit creams.