Illegal skin-lightening creams pose ‘serious health risks,’ says Health Canada

Several products by Philippine brand Brilliant Skin Essentials have been pulled from the market because of ‘dangerous ingredients.'

Health Canada is warning against the use of unauthorized skin-lightening products with “dangerous ingredients” that keep showing up in Canadian stores and online.

The agency issued an updated public advisory Monday for five products by Philippine brand Brilliant Skin Essentials that were being sold in Alberta. The creams and toners in question have been pulled from the market.

Health Canada said the products “may pose serious health risks” because they contain or have been labelled to contain “dangerous ingredients,” such as hydroquinone and tretinoin.

Canadians should stop using the listed products and consult a health-care professional if they have used them and have health concerns, and for advice, Health Canada said.

This is not the first time that unauthorized skin-lightening products have been seized from the market by Health Canada.

Brilliant Skin Essentials products were also removed from warehouses in Alberta and online sale last week, earlier in February, in January and last year.

“In Canada, skin-lightening products are regulated as drugs and they must be authorized by Health Canada before being sold on the Canadian market,” a Health Canada spokesperson told Global News in an emailed statement Wednesday.

“Selling unauthorized health products is illegal in Canada and the Department takes this matter very seriously and will continue to take action to stop this activity.”