The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has highlighted the widespread sale of illegal skin-lightening products.
According to the institute, these products have been found online and in a broad range of outlets including butchers, specialist food stores and small groceries. The CTSI shares that they frequently contain banned substances such as high levels of hydroquinone, mercury and potent corticosteroids that are prohibited under UK cosmetic safety laws due to serious health risks.
Officials caution that product use can cause skin thinning, infections, organ damage and other long-term complications, and stress that it is unlawful to sell cosmetics that do not comply with regulatory standards.