UK shoppers warned over spread of harmful and illegal skin lightening kits

UK shoppers are being warned about the increasing availability of illegal skin lightening kits in various retail outlets, including butchers and grocery stores catering to diverse communities. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) reports these products often contain banned substances like hydroquinone, mercury, and corticosteroids, posing serious health risks such as skin damage, infections, and pregnancy complications. Trading standards officers are finding these products not only online but also more frequently in Asian and Arab stores. The CTSI emphasizes that retailers are legally responsible for ensuring product safety, regardless of store size, and that a lack of awareness is not a valid defense. The use of these products is linked to colourism within some communities, leading individuals to use harmful and illegal substances without understanding the risks.

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