Product safety reportOPSS
Skin Light with Shea Butter safety warning over a banned ingredient
Product Safety Report for Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion sold via eBay presenting a serious chemical risk.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
1 identifier listed for this notice.
Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion sold on eBay
- BarcodeThe long number printed under the barcode.
- 6181100461992
What to do now
The issue with Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion is a prohibited ingredient, of a kind often found in illegal skin-lightening and imported cosmetics.
- Stop using it now.
- Gently wash off any product left on the skin.
- This is a safety report rather than a manufacturer recall: the listing has been taken down, but the seller may not contact you. Get in touch with the seller through the marketplace.
- 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
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order.
If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2306-0088). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion sold via eBay presenting a serious chemical risk.
The risk
The product presents a serious chemical risk as following analysis, the cream was found to contain 5.2% w/w hydroquinone which is prohibited in cosmetic products. Hydroquinone is a skin sensitiser and may cause allergic contact dermatitis and is not permitted in this type of product.
The product also required improvements to labelling and markings.
The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 or the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.
Action taken
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Ebay). We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
Advice to consumers
Removal of the listing by the online marketplace (eBay).
We recommend owners stop using this product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
Additional information
PSD case number: 2306-0088
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Product is within a large plastic bottle of light brown cream. The bottle was marked, Skin Light, With Shea Butter and Vitamin E, Super Lightening Body Lotion, e - 500ml
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion been reported?
The issue with Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion is a prohibited ingredient, of a kind often found in illegal skin-lightening and imported cosmetics. 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?
Compare the barcode on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the 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?
Contact the seller through your order history and say that the product is the subject of an OPSS safety report. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order. If the seller does not respond, the marketplace’s own dispute process or your card provider is the next step.
Where was Skin Light with Shea Butter and Vitamin E Skin Lightening Body Lotion sold?
The notice names eBay. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
