You may have them in your cupboards. Maybe, you use them, still. Beware: they are dangerous, illegal, harmful… and are the subject of a recall or ban by the European sanitary authorities. Underneath, you may find all the cosmetic products targeted by the RAPEX alert system this week: skin cleansers with excessive preservative concentrations, an eyelash serum containing a prohibited ingredient and whitening creams formulated with heavy metals.
Cleansing product
Name: Muravjinyj spirt 
Barcode: 4603380000255
• Country of origin: Russian Federation
• Notifying country: Lituania
Risk type: chemical
According to the ingredients list and product information file, the product contains an excessive amount of formic acid (declared value: 1.4%). Ingestion or contact with an excessive quantity of formic acid may cause inflammation of the skin.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by public authorities (to importer): withdrawal of the product from the market.
Cleansing product
Name: Bornaja kislota 
Type: 30416
• Country of origin: Russian Federation
• Notifying country: Lituania
Risk type: chemical
According to the ingredients list and product information file, the product contains an excessive amount of boric acid (declared value: 3%). Ingestion or contact with an excessive quantity of boron may harm the health by damaging the reproductive system or the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by public authorities (to importer): withdrawal of the product from the market.
Eyelash growth product
Brand: Abalico 
Name: Eyelash Serum
Batch number: 18101MHD
Type: 44.093
Barcode: 4250737402257
• Country of origin: Austria
• Notifying country: Germany
Risk type: chemical
The product contains Tafluprost ethyl amide (measured value: 0.0026%), which should be used under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Tafluprost ethyl amide is a prostaglandin analogue, which could cause eye and ophthalmic defects in the user and should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as it may affect the child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by economic operators: ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures, recall of the product from end users, withdrawal of the product from the market (by importer).
Skin lightening product
Brand: Aneeza Cosmetics Eleven Herbal 
Name: Ubtan with sunscreen
Barcode: 1143723500019
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 4.8 mg/kg). Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by public authorities: ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures.
Skin lightening product
Name: Rose Cream 
Barcode: M:03.2017E:03.2020B:7519
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Notifying country: Norway
Risk type: chemical
The product contains mercury (measured value: 4.8 mg/kg). Mercury accumulates in the body and can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. Additionally, it may affect reproduction and the unborn child.
The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Measures taken by public authorities: ban on the marketing of the product and any accompanying measures.
Source
• Rapid Alert System - Weekly Reports, Report 49, European Commission, December 6, 2019
