Product safety reportOPSS
Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter safety warning over a banned ingredient
Product recall for Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E presenting a serious risk to health due to the presence of the prohibited substances.
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.
3 identifiers listed for this notice.
Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E sold on eBay
- BarcodeThe long number printed under the barcode.
- 013415448282
- Batch codePrinted on the pack, often next to the date mark. It may start with L or LOT.
- 060722
- Item or listing codeOn the box, the label, or the order page where you bought it.
- 295235108124
What to do now
The issue with Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E is a prohibited ingredient, of a kind often found in illegal skin-lightening and imported cosmetics.
- Stop applying it straight away.
- Wash the skin where it was applied with mild soap and water.
- 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.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
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 (2303-0102). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product recall for Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E presenting a serious risk to health due to the presence of the prohibited substances.
The risk
The product presents a serious risk to health as it contains the chemical hydroquinone at concentrations of 3.4%, which is prohibited in this type of product. Hydroquinone is a skin sensitiser and may cause allergic contact dermatitis. The product also contained clobetasol propionate, which is prohibited in cosmetic products. The product also was missing required labelling, and contained allergens and ingredients not listed on the ingredient list.
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
The product has been recalled from end users. The retailer has informed purchasers directly of the recall.
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (eBay).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2303-0102
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Skin lightening cream in a 200g white pot with green and white labelling.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E been reported?
The issue with Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E 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, batch code and item or listing code 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 applying it straight away. Wash the skin where it was applied with mild soap and water.
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 Stay Young Skin Lightening Cream with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E sold?
The notice names eBay. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
