STAFFORDSHIRE Trading Standards officers are urging people to report sales of illegal skin-lightening products.
It comes after a surge in items being made available at small shops and online.
But a number of the products can contain banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury and powerful corticosteroids which pose risks to health, including skin damage, infections and pregnancy-related complications.
Cllr 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.”
People can report any suspicious cosmetic products to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards website.
