Germany blocks cosmetics sales over hydroquinone

Germany has reported sales withdrawals for four cosmetics products over hydroquinone content – three Ivory Coast products and one American.

EU consumer alert service RAPEX reported recalls of an Ivorian Body Butter - Lait Cocoa Butter line for containing 6.16% hydroquinone, breaching the EU’s 1976 cosmetics directive. Similar problems caused the withdrawal of Ivorian skin lightening creams Peau Claire with vitamin E (hydroquinone content 5%) and Sivoclair (hydroquinone 4.6%). There was also a recall of US-made Clear Essence skin beautifying milk (hydroquinone 1.8%).