You may have them in your cupboards. Maybe, you use them, still. Beware: they are dangerous, illegal, harmful… and are the subject of a recall or ban by the European sanitary authorities. Underneath, you may find all the cosmetic products targeted by the RAPEX alert system this week: skin lifhtening products containing prohibited ingredients (mercury and hydroquinone).
Skin lightening product
Brand: Golden Pearl 
Name: Beauty cream
Barcode: 9240548109914
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 3.3 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Carotone 
Name: Black Spot Corrector
Barcode: 6182000104309
• Country of origin: Ivory Coast
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 932 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & White 
Name: Ultra moisturising body cream
Barcode: 877917005486
• Country of origin: France
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 668 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & White Fair & White 
Name: Creme Power C - Exclusive Whitenizer
Barcode: 877917005356
• Country of origin: France
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 1.3 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Nature Secrete 
Name: Lightening Serum Anti-Ageing
Barcode: 6186000128518
• Country of origin: France
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 0.3 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Daggett & Ramsdell
Name: Knee & elbow lightening cream 
Barcode: 021959205124
• Country of origin: United States
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 2.5 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Perfect White 
Name: Lightening beauty cream
Barcode: 181100530391
• Country of origin: Ivory Coast
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains betamethasone (measured value: 1.93 mg/kg)..
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that should be applied only if medically prescribed. Exposure to it could cause skin irritation and may lead to reproductive and endocrine problems.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: O’Tentika 
Name: Fade out cream
Barcode: 7640149080476
• Country of origin: Italy
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 0.4 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & Lovely 
Name: Advanced multi vitamin
Barcode: 8901030649912
• Country of origin: India
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 0.1 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & Lovely 
Name: Brightening moisturising solution
Barcode: 8901030561856
• Country of origin: India
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains hydroquinone (measured value: 0.01%).
Hydroquinone can cause skin irritation and dermatitis.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & White
Name: Exfoliating Soap
Barcode: 877917005608 
• Country of origin: France
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 0.2 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: GC, Golden Care 
Name: Extra whitening cream with fruit extracts
Barcode: 6527242266284
• Country of origin: Unknown
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 4500 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair & White 
Name: Body Lotion with AHA
Barcode: 87791700546
• Country of origin: France
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 1 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: V.I.P 
Name: Face beauty cream
Barcode: 03332258193
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 157 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: New Face 
Name: Whitening cream
Barcode: 7111906532137
• Country of origin: Unknown
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 25400 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Fair One 
Name: Natural fairness cream
Barcode: 8342740014452
• Country of origin: India
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 1.7 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Seven herbal 
Name: Ubtan
Barcode: 8964000932032, 8964008371985
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 5.4 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: Diana 
Name: Creme C.T.R.
Barcode: 5280080004005
• Country of origin: Lebanon
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 13600 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
Skin lightening product
Brand: So Clair 
Name: Skin whitening & ligthening soap - Clarifying Toning Soap
Barcode: 8904069355884
• Country of origin: Unknown
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 1.9 mg/kg).
Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: Ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures
