Caro Light, 6 other banned skin lightening products seized in Nakuru

Caro Light and six other skin lightening products that had been banned from the Kenyan market have been seized in Nakuru.

The six are Dermaclair, Skin balance gel, Movate cream, Epiderm cream, Coco pulp and Maxi light.

“These creams among others, have been found to contain Hydroquinone, Mercury, Steroids or Hydrogen peroxide. The mentioned compounds are prohibited for use in cosmetics,” the Kenya Bureau of Standards said on Friday.

“It is our intention to rid the market of products that do not meet required standards,” the agency said.

A statement on the KEBS website says all skin care creams, lotions, gels, soaps that containing hydroquinone, steroids and hormonal preparations should be registered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of the Ministry of Health for medical use.

Six products that are registered with Pharmacy and Poisons Board to be used as medicines for various skin conditions include Betnovate, Mediven, Diprosone, Nerisone, Hydrocortisone and Oxy 5/10.

“These products should only be used on the recommendation of a medical doctor and for such period of time as the doctor may prescribe. They should not be sold in the open market but only in registered pharmacies and chemists,” KEBS says.

Several African countries, including as Rwanda and Ghana, have also banned use of skin bleaching products.

Although safer alternatives exist, many of the bleaching and lightening products used in Africa contain harmful ingredients such as mercury and high-dose steroids.

These ingredients can cause kidney failure and other illnesses, making skin bleaching a public health problem.