Every week, dedicated European portals (Safety Gate for the European Union, Safety Database for the United Kingdom) list the non-compliant and/or dangerous products detected on the market by the control authorities. Here are the cosmetic products that are subject to a recall or a marketing ban this week: lightening products that contain ingredients that are prohibited in cosmetics.
Lightening cream
Brand: antiMarks 
Name: Lightening cream
• Country of origin: Kenya
• Notifying country: Sweden
Risk type: chemical
The product contains clobetasol propionate (measured concentration: 0.05 % by weight). It is a corticosteroid that should be made available only under medical prescription: exposure to it could cause skin irritation and may lead to endocrine problems.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by public authorities (to importer): import rejected at border.
Lightening body milk
Brand: Pr. Francoise Bedon Paris 
Name: Lait éclaircissant Soin Hydratant Nourrissant Carotte
Barcode: 3760091560735
Batch numbers: S201292, 201297
• Country of origin: unknown • Notifying country: France
Risk type: chemical
The product contains hydroquinone (measured value: 4.4% by weight). Hydroquinone can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by economic operators (to distributor): recall of the product from end users, removal of this product listing by the online marketplace.
Lightening serum
Brand: Pure White 
Name: Gold Glowing - Correcteur de tâches - Sérum révélateur
Batch numbers: 0B00B0, 0BBEB0
• Country of origin: unknown
• Notifying country: France
Risk type: chemical
The product contains hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate (measured: values 9.3% and 0.03% by weight).
Hydroquinone can cause skin irritation and dermatitis.
Clobetasol is a corticosteroid that should be applied only if medically prescribed. Exposure to it could cause skin irritation and may lead to endocrine problems.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures ordered by economic operators (to distributor): recall of the product from end users, removal of this product listing by the online marketplace.
Sources
• Safety Gate: the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, Report 2022-02, European Commission, January 14, 2022
