Bleaching Creams With over 2% Hydroquinone Harmful, NAFDAC Warns
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned Nigerians against the use of skin-lightening creams containing more than 2 percent hydroquinone, describing such products as dangerous to human health. According to the agency, any cosmetic product with hydroquinone levels exceeding this limit is considered unsafe and illegal for distribution or use in Nigeria.
The warning was reiterated by NAFDAC officials during recent public awareness campaigns and regulatory enforcement exercises across the country. The agency emphasized that the unrestricted use of bleaching creams poses serious health threats, not just to the skin but also to internal organs and systems.
Hydroquinone, along with mercury and other skin-bleaching agents commonly found in some cosmetic products, can cause long-term harm. These include kidney damage, respiratory complications, reproductive system disorders, and deformities in unborn children. NAFDAC officials further noted that the effects of such creams are not just cosmetic but systemic, leading to conditions that could take years to treat or may be irreversible.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has described the widespread use of bleaching creams as a public health crisis. Citing research and field data, she stated that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of skin-lightening product use in Africa, with over 70 percent of women reportedly using these products, often without understanding the risks involved.
Health experts have raised alarm about the increasing cases of skin disorders linked to unregulated cosmetic products. Reported complications include severe burns, chronic inflammation, premature ageing, poor wound healing, stretch marks, and a condition known as exogenous ochronosis, which causes the skin to darken and become leathery. In more severe cases, users may also suffer from hormonal imbalance, diabetes, neurological disorders, and memory loss due to long-term chemical exposure.
In many local markets, especially in urban centers, several skin creams are sold without proper labeling, expiration dates, or NAFDAC approval numbers. This makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions and increases the risk of exposure to harmful substances. A recent study in parts of Northern Nigeria found that some products contained hydroquinone, even though it was not listed on the packaging.
NAFDAC has responded with increased surveillance and enforcement, shutting down illegal shops, confiscating unregistered products, and organizing training workshops to educate the public, especially traders and beauticians. Consumers are strongly advised to check for NAFDAC registration numbers, verify ingredients, and avoid any product promising instant lightening effects.
Beyond enforcement, NAFDAC is also encouraging a cultural shift. Health practitioners and regulatory bodies are urging Nigerians to embrace natural skin tones and focus more on skin health than color. Beauty, they argue, should not come at the expense of one’s health.
As the agency continues its advocacy and regulation, it has promised to intensify public sensitization campaigns, collaborate with the media, and hold manufacturers and distributors accountable to ensure that harmful products do not reach consumers.