Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire are urging residents to report the sale of illegal and potentially harmful skin lightening products, following concerns about their growing availability.
The warning comes after a national investigation found items being sold in specialist food shops, small grocery stores, butchers and online platforms.
An investigation by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute uncovered products containing banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury and powerful corticosteroids. These ingredients are illegal in many cosmetic products sold in the UK and can pose serious health risks.
Potential side effects include severe skin damage, infections and complications during pregnancy. Some products have also been found to contain undeclared ingredients, meaning customers may not know what they are applying to their skin.
While the issue has had a significant impact among people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic 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 issued the following advice to residents:
• Never buy skin lightening products from unverified sellers or social media accounts.
• Avoid buying cosmetics from online marketplaces where product origins are unclear.
• Always speak to a doctor or dermatologist before using any product intended to alter skin tone.
• Never use such products on children.
Recent enforcement work in London has highlighted a wider pattern of illegal cosmetics being sold alongside other high risk goods, including unlicensed medicines and prohibited biocidal products. Trading Standards teams have also identified a growing market for these creams on social media, where influencers promote them directly to followers without regulatory oversight.
Residents in Stone and across Staffordshire who are concerned about products being sold locally can report suspicious cosmetics, or any adverse reactions, to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. Reports can also be made via the Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards ‘Report It’ webpage.
Officers say information from the public plays an important role in helping them target enforcement work and remove unsafe goods from sale.
