Wed, 18 Feb 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 Illegal skin lightening cream being sold in UK butchers, watchdog warns

A trade body has warned illegal skin bleaching products are being sold in an increasingly wide range of places.

* Illegal skin lightening products are being sold in various shops and online across the UK, including butchers and specialist food stores.
* These products contain banned ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury, and powerful corticosteroids that can cause harm to users' health.
* The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) warns consumers to avoid these products and report any shops that continue to sell them.
* Many of the products are driven by social factors, including colorism, a form of discrimination that favors lighter skin tones.
* Users may be unaware of the dangers posed by these products, with some relying on them due to pressure from societal beauty standards.
* A number of companies and individuals have been prosecuted for selling skin lightening products in the past, with fines imposed.
* The CTSI advises consumers to: + Avoid buying skin lightening products + Report any shops that continue to sell these products + Be aware of the dangers posed by these products and their ingredients + Seek advice from a healthcare professional if concerned about skin issues
* Suppliers of these products, including those who may be unaware they are selling something illegal, are warned that ignorance is not an excuse.
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