NAFDAC warns against dangerous skin products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of skin-damaging cosmetics products that have flooded the Nigerian beauty market.
Did they identify the products?
The Agency warned against the abuse of bleaching agents, as it explained that such products have dangerous chemicals that cause skin cancer and damage internal organs like the kidney. During a two-day retreat by the Agency’s Top Management Committee (TMC) in Lagos on Sunday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, expressed concern over the proliferation of beauticians formulating unauthorized harmful chemicals and selling same to unsuspecting clients. NAFDAC also warned Spa outlets using such dangerous chemicals to desist or risk prosecution and jail terms.
How do the vendors access these chemicals?
She urged Nigerians to refrain from using illegal cosmetics while revealing that the majority of the ingredients in these mixtures are smuggled into the country and are not registered, mentioning formulas with Kojic Acid and Hydroquinone that are above their permitted limits and hence dangerous. She emphasized that the use of mercury in cosmetics was prohibited for the same safety reason. The majority of Spa establishments in cities, according to the DG, are guilty of engaging in this harmful practice of creating skin products for customers by combining chemicals with organic ingredients like pawpaw, carrot, etc.
