Consumers Cautioned Against Using Cosmetic Products Containing Scheduled Poisons

Date: 15 February 2013 - 9:53am
News categories: 
Press Release

The public is advised to avoid buying and using the following cosmetic products:

No

Name of Products

Notification Number

Scheduled Poison Detected

Notification Holder

Manufacturer

1

BML HB LOTION

NOT090701336K

Tretinoin & Hydroquinone

Excellent Combination Sdn Bhd

BML International Inc., Philippines

2

KRIM MALAM SHANA

NOT090600820K

Tretinoin & Hydroquinone

Nabba Trading

A.S.P. International Herbal Soap. Co. Ltd, Thailand

3

NATASYA GOLD KRIM HERBA

NOT091100971K

Tretinoin & Hydroquinone

Perwanza Enterprise (M) Sdn. Bhd.

Bionano Herba Pharma Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

4

BIOTOX WHITENING HYDRO CREAM

NOT07061310KE

Dexamethasone

Dermedex Sdn Bhd

Laboratories D’Armor S.A., France

5

YOKO WHITENING CREAM

NOT080100330K

Tretinoin

Haresh Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.

Siam Yoko Co. Ltd., Thailand

6

SUE BEAUTY NIGHT TREATMENT CREAM

NOT080600138K

Tretinoin

Sky Resources Sdn. Bhd.

Sky Resources Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

 

The product notifications of the above cosmetics have been cancelled by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services following the detection of a scheduled poison dexamethasone, hydroquinone and/or tretinoin.

The usage of tretinoin, hydroquinone and dexamethasone in cosmetic products are prohibited. Preparations containing these ingredients may cause various side effects to consumers and should only be used under medical supervision.

Tretinoin can cause redness to the skin, peeling, discomfort and skin becomes sensitive to sunlight.

Hydroquinone can cause redness to the skin, discomfort, skin discoloration, hypersensitivity and a gradual blue-black darkening of the skin. Hydroquinone inhibits the pigmentation process (depigmentation). This process attenuates the ability of the skin to protect our body from harmful UV rays and excessive sunlight which can bring risk of skin cancer. Excessive depigmentation is dangerous for those living in the tropical region.

Dexamethasone is a steroid, when used topically, can cause skin irritation, dry skin, acne, thinning of the skin and increased risk of skin infections. Prolong used of topical steroids may result in absorption of sufficient amounts to produce systemic side effects like the suppression of the adrenal glands, metabolic disturbances, impairment of the immune response, etc.

Anyone who is in possession of this product is advised to immediately cease selling/distributing/using it. Sellers are reminded that posession of this product  is an offence under the Control Of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. Any individual who commits an offence under these Regulations can be fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and for a second or subsequent offence he shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. A company found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 for a subsequent offence.

 DATO’ EISAH BINTI A. RAHMAN
Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services
Ministry of Health Malaysia

 
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