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Most Dangerous Skin-Whitening Ingredients to Avoid


Many people do not take time to go through all the ingredients contained in their body care products. It may be boring reading ingredients and not as captivating as the beautiful image on the side of the bottle, but that is what should determine whether you buy a product or not. Unless issued on prescription by a medical doctor, body lotions and creams containing ingredients such as topical corticosteroids, mercury or hydroquinone should not be used because of their severe side-effects. Mercury is sometimes listed under other names, such as mercurio, mercurous, mercuric, or calomel. Even those prescribed by medical specialists should be used under the doctor's supervision. Pregnant women most especially should stay away from products containing such ingredients as they can be passed onto their unborn children.
Campaigns for body positivity and inclusion are on the rise, but so are the global sales for skin whiteners - most of them containing toxic ingredients. According to Global Industry Analysts, global sales for skin-whiteners are estimated to reach $31.2 billion by 2024.
According to the UK's Local Government Association (LGA), hydroquinone is the "biological equivalent" of paint thinner and "can remove the top layer of skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer and cause fatal liver and kidney damage". Unwanted and untreatable skin discoloration (onchronosis) can also result from prolonged use of hydroquinone-based products.The World Health Organization links mercury to bacterial and fungal infections, liver damage, anxiety, depression and psychosis. 
Examples of corticosteroids used in some skin-whiteners include betamethasone, fluocinonide, and clobetasol proprionate, which are all prohibited as an ingredient in cosmetics. Using body lotions and creams containing any of the ingredients listed above could result in skin thinning/atrophy, bruised skin, broken veins, stretch marks, eczema, acne, a higher risk of skin infection, weight gain, and other life threatening consequences. Note that corticosteroids also have legitimate use, in the treatment of certain diseases, but should not be used in cosmetics.
It is worth noting that even skin-whiteners that contain natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation, and should thus be used with caution. Be careful with homemade skin-whitening products and those that promise an instant whitening.
The following are some of the skin whitening brands that contain one or more of the harmful whitening agents discussed above: Caro Light, Caro White, Clobetaderm, Clear Essence, Easy White, Epiderm, Express Glow, G&G Teint Uniforme Paris, Carotone, Maxi Light, Livorienne, Rapid Clear, Supreme White Paris, White Express, and White Gold.



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