Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire are asking people to report the sales of illegal and harmful skin-lightening products following a surge of availability on high streets.
The warning follows an investigation by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), which found items being sold in specialist food shops, small grocery stores, butchers and online.
Many of these products are illegal in the UK and have been found to contain banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury and powerful corticosteroids. These ingredients pose serious risks to health, including skin damage, infections and pregnancy-related complications.
While the impact is most pronounced among people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, the safety advice applies to all consumers.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“These products can contain very harmful chemicals and the increasing availability of them is incredibly worrying.
“Our officers have clear powers to investigate, seize unsafe goods, remove them from sale and prosecute those found selling them. Shops have a legal responsibility to ensure the products they sell are safe, properly labelled and comply with the law. Where this does not happen, we will take necessary action.
“Keeping our residents safe is our priority and this work is linked to our first ever Community Safety Strategy that aims to protect residents and create a county where everyone feels safe and supported.”
Officers have offered the following advice:
- NEVER buy skin-lightening products from unverified sellers or social media accounts and avoid buying cosmetics from online marketplaces.
- ALWAYS speak to a doctor or dermatologist before using any product intended to alter skin tone.
- NEVER use them on children.
Recent enforcement activity in London has highlighted a pattern of illegal cosmetics being sold alongside other high-risk goods, including unlicensed medicines and prohibited biocidal products. Trading Standards officers have also identified a growing market for these creams on social media platforms, where influencers are promoting products directly to consumers without proper oversight.
People can report any suspicious cosmetic products or if they have experienced any adverse reactions after using a product to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards Report It webpage.
