Illegal Skin Lightening Cream Sold in UK Butchers, Watchdog Warns

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

UK trading standards authorities have issued an urgent public warning after discovering that illegal and harmful skin lightening creams are being sold in a range of outlets across the country — including unexpected places such as local butchers and specialist food shops — raising fresh concerns about consumer safety and product regulation. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), a leading consumer protection body, cautioned that these unregulated products often contain banned toxic ingredients and pose serious health risks if used.

Under UK law, cosmetic products must meet strict safety and labeling regulations. However, CTSI says products being sold outside traditional beauty supply chains — and now found in shops like butchers — often contain banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury, and potent corticosteroids, which can cause severe skin damage, organ toxicity, and other long‑term health problems. While such items are illegal in the UK cosmetic market, they are still being offered to consumers, many of whom are unaware of the dangers.

Hydroquinone, once used in regulated skin‑lightening products, has been prohibited in cosmetic formulations for many years due to its potential to weaken the skin, trigger dermatitis and increase the risk of cancer with prolonged exposure. Mercury is even more hazardous, with exposure linked to neurological damage, kidney failure, and other systemic health issues. Corticosteroids in unregulated creams can also disrupt hormone function and thin the skin when misused.

CTSI members emphasised that ignorance of the law is not a defence for retailers who stock or sell these banned items. They stressed that all sellers — regardless of the type of shop — have a legal duty to ensure products they offer comply with UK safety standards and are properly labeled in English with clear ingredient information.

In recent years, authorities have taken action against retailers selling similar illicit products, including large fines for beauty shops that repeatedly breached safety regulations. For instance, a London store in Peckham was fined over £30,000 in November for selling illegal skin lightening creams containing banned chemicals.

Public health advocates and trading standards officers are urging consumers to be vigilant: avoid buying skin‑lightening products from unverified sellers or social media platforms; never use such creams on children; and consult a dermatologist before considering any cosmetic treatments to alter skin tone. If consumers encounter products that lack proper labeling or safety information, they are encouraged to report them to local authorities or trading standards services to help regulators track and remove hazardous products from the market.

Read More At>>