SHOPPERS are being warned over skin-lightening products found to contain products that can cause permanent skin damage.

Slough Borough Council is warning shoppers after a number of brands on sale in the town were found to contain a banned substance, hydroquinone, which is capable of causing permanent skin damage.

SBC's trading standards team seized a number of products, including 'Esapharma Movate' and 'Caro Light' – two brands of skin-lighteners that found to contain this substance. Many of the seized products also failed to disclose their country of origin, as required by European law.

Cllr Pavitar K Mann said: "The sale of illegal skin-lightening products in our town is very worrying. These products are banned and damaging to people’s health.

"I implore local shoppers not to purchase skin-lightening products over the counter. If anyone has purchased a bottle listing hydroquinone as one of its ingredients, they should stop using the product immediately.

"I hope these recent seizures serve as a warning to those traders peddling banned substances to unsuspecting shoppers. Our trading standards team will not hesitate to take action against traders who sell these dangerous and illegal products."

Genuine skin-lightening products should only be used under medical supervision.

If you have concerns about a cosmetic product, or to report a trader selling illegal items, contact Trading Standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.