Skin lightening products containing illegal substances may put people's health at risk. Although banned some people have no idea Skin lightening creams could possibly affect their health negatively.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, said that illegal items were still available for purchase on the high street.
The organization has cautioned that as skin-lightening creams have become more popular, "inferior harmful goods" containing substances like the bleaching agent hydroquinone and mercury have infiltrated the market.
The "biological equivalent of paint remover," hydroquinone, may destroy the top layer of skin, raising the risk of skin cancer, liver, and kidney damage.
Mercury exposure may potentially result in life-threatening health complications.
In this post, we'll be looking at the list of banned skin lightening creams and products.
Why do people use skin lightening creams?
Though it may not seem to be widespread in the United States, NPR notes that skin whitening products account for over half of the worldwide cosmetics business.
Lightning is popular in Japan, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Males and females alike utilize the lotions, which are advertised for use on the face, hands, and even private areas!
According to CBS, China's whitening business is worth billions, with individuals seeking to define themselves as light to show off, acquire better employment, or attract love partners (who might be in for a surprise).
In India, consumers spent more money on lighters than on Coca-Cola.
Certain cultures may put a premium on pale skin tones as a symbol of social rank for historical reasons related to colonialism or other significant periods in a country's history.
Celebrities, the media, and influential persons in positions of power may all exert influence.
Colourism is a concept created by Alice Walker in 1982 to describe discrimination based on skin tone.
In some cases, low self-esteem may result in the use of skin lightening products to enhance appearance.
While it may seem to be outdated, the popularity of whitening solutions has only grown since then.
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List of banned skin lightening creams and products
below are the list of banned skin cosmetics according to the TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS. They've been sorted into 4 groups listed below:
1. “Cream” and “lotions” containing “Hydroquinone”
- Mekako Cream
- Rico Complexion Cream
- Princess Cream
- Butone Cream
- Extra Clear Cream
- Clear Essence Medicated fade Cream
- Mic Cream
- Viva Super Lemon Cream
- Ultra Skin Tone Cream
- Fade-Out Cream
- Palmer`s Skin Success (pack) Cream
- Fair & white Active Lightening Cream
- Fair & White Whitening Cream
- Fair & White Strong Bleaching Treatment Cream
- Fair & white Body Clearing milk – tight Cream
- Maxi – Tone fade Cream
- Nadinola Fade Cream
- Peau Claire Body Lotion
- Reine Clair Rico Super Body Lotion
- Immediat Claire Maxi – Beuty lotion
- Tura Lotion
- Ikb Medicated Cream
- Crusader Skin Toning Cream
- Tura Bright & Even Cream
- Claire Cream
- Miki Beauty Cream
- Peau Claire Crème Eclaircissante
- Sivoclair lightening Body Lotion
- Extra Clair Lightening Body Lotion
- Precieux Treatment Beauty Lotion
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2. Gel with “Hydroquinone
- Body Clear
- Topi Clear
- Ultra Clear
3. Soaps containing Mercury and its compounds
- Movate Soap
- Miki Soap
- Jaribu Soap
- Binti Jambo Soap
- Amira Soap
- Mekako Soap
- Rico Soap
- Tura Soap
- Acura Soap
- Fair Lady Soap
- Elegance Soap
4. Soaps containing “Hydroquinone”
- Body Clear Medicated Antiseptic Soap
- Blackstar Soap
- Cherie Claire Body Beauty Lightening & Treating Soap
- Immediate Clair Lightening Beauty Soap
- Lady Claire Soap
- M.G.C Extra Clear Soap
- Topi Clear Beauty Complexion Soap
- Ultra Clear Soap
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In Conclusion
Some governments have outright banned all skin lightening creams due to the usage of unsafe or even dangerous substances in them.
Toxic substances forbidden by the FDA in the United States may emerge in cremes and serums imported from other countries, so be careful about taking anything home from travels.
Some whitening products include mercury, which may result in mercury poisoning, liver damage, and fetal harm in pregnant women.