Batch BeaconUK recalls and safety alerts

Product safety reportOPSS

Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion safety warning over a banned ingredient

Banned cosmetic ingredientSerious risk

Product Safety Report for Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion presenting a serious chemical risk.

  • Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion: photo from the OPSS notice of 13 Aug 2024
    Product image from the OPSS safety notice

What to do now

Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion has been flagged because it contains a substance that cosmetics sold here must not contain.

  1. Stop using it now.
  2. Gently wash off any product left on the skin.
  3. The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
  4. If you cannot reach the seller, Trading Standards can be told through Citizens Advice.

Why it matters. Substances such as hydroquinone, mercury and some steroids can damage the skin and, with long-term use, other organs. They are only allowed in prescription medicines, if at all.

If someone has been hurt

Look out for

  • redness, burning, thinning or discolouration of the skin
  • a rash

Get help urgently

  • if you have used it for a long time, or have skin damage, speak to your GP or a pharmacist

This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.

Getting your money back

Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.

Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.

From the official notice

Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2402-0096). Quoted as issued.

Summary

Product Safety Report for Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion presenting a serious chemical risk.

The risk

Following analysis, the cream was found to contain 4.4% w/w hydroquinone. The product’s labelling also proved unsatisfactory as it failed to list appropriate allergen information.

Hydroquinone is not permitted in this type of product as it is a skin sensitiser and may cause allergic contact dermatitis.

The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 or the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.

Action taken

The products have been destroyed.

Advice to consumers

The products have been destroyed.

Additional information

PSD number: 2402-0096

Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards

Product description

Skin lightening lotion in white and orange plastic packaging with an image of a woman on the face.

Open the OPSS notice

Questions

Why has Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion been reported?

Caro White Lightening Beauty Lotion has been flagged because it contains a substance that cosmetics sold here must not contain. Substances such as hydroquinone, mercury and some steroids can damage the skin and, with long-term use, other organs. They are only allowed in prescription medicines, if at all.

How do I know if my product is affected?

The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.

What should I do now?

Stop using it now. Gently wash off any product left on the skin.

Can I get a refund or a repair?

Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.

Related notices