Illegal skin whitening creams have been found for sale on the UK high street. A BBC investigation discovered products containing hydroquinone for sale at several independent cosmetics stores in London. Hydroquinone is linked to liver and nerve damage.
An undercover investigation found skin lightening products at Shaba Hair and Cosmetics stores across the capital. The Director of the retail outlets, Banaras Hussain, was prosecuted for selling the creams in three stores: Enfield, Dalston and Peckham. He is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to 33 offences linked to the Dalston store. The BBC discovered that a number of Shaba outlets continued to stock the products even after his arrest.
Shaba Hair and Cosmetics in Peckham was said to have sold a BBC undercover researcher a jar of Caro Light cream for £9.99. The cream contained 4.6% hydroquinone. Three creams sold in the store were found to contain the ingredient despite it not having it listed on the label.
Whitening ingredients have been banned in a number of regions. Most recently Ivory Coast outlawed skin-whitening creams in May 2015.