Abstract(s)
Skin lightening products are types of cosmetics (creams, gels, lotions and soaps) applied voluntarily on
skin. Several of these products contain a variety of active ingredients that are highly toxic. Among those
toxic agents, the present study focuses on mercury, hydroquinone, and clobetasol propionate. Out of the
93 lightening soaps and 98 creams purchased in large city markets in sub-Saharan West Africa and in
small ethnic shops in Canada, 68 to 84% of all creams and 7.5 to 65% of all soaps exceeded regulatory
guidelines for at least one active ingredient when considering different regulations. Mercury was found
in high concentrations mainly in soaps, while hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate concentrations
exceeded US FDA standards in some creams for all countries included in our study. Concentrations of
the three compounds declared on labels of soaps and creams usually did not correspond to
concentrations actually measured, particularly for mercury and hydroquinone. Overall, our results
indicate that most studied skin-lightening products are potentially toxic and that product labels are
frequently inaccurate with respect to the presence of toxic agents.