Health Tips

Cosmetics have been women’s essentials for many years. They help women to look better and boost one’s self-confidence. It goes without saying that the cosmetics industry is huge -- the forecasted market value of skincare products worldwide is a whopping $145.2 billion, and that’s just skincare. 

With that being said, women (or men) should be careful when buying cosmetic products online or offline. This is because a handful of companies manufacture adulterated cosmetics that contain banned substances, which may be harmful to the user’s health.

Image credit: ANT Lawyers

What is adulterated cosmetic?

Adulterated cosmetic is produced by adding a banned substance into a product to show that it is effective for its intended purpose. For instance, hydroquinone is usually added to whitening products for fairer complexion or to treat pigmentation problems. As a result, consumers would get the desired effect faster and continue buying the products. 

Image credit: NPRA

If the product is effective, why is it banned?

Using the example mentioned above, the banning of a product containing hydroquinone can be explained in two ways:

1. Cosmetic products in Malaysia are regulated under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations (CDCR) 1984. Under these regulations, cosmetic products must not contain scheduled poisons unless exempted. Hydroquinone is a scheduled poison, hence it is banned in a cosmetic product. 

2. Any product that contains scheduled poison should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The unsupervised usage of hydroquinone can cause skin redness, discomfort, skin discolouration and hypersensitivity. Hydroquinone inhibits the pigmentation process (depigmentation) which reduces the skin’s ability to be protected from harmful UV rays, thus, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

You may refer to the list of banned substances in cosmetic here.

Image credit: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

What are the other common adulterants in cosmetics?

Image credit: Britannica

What are the consequences for selling adulterated cosmetics?

All sellers are reminded that selling or distributing these cosmetic products is an offence under the Control Of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. In other words, even though you are not the manufacturer for said cosmetic products, you can be convicted under the law for just selling them online or offline. 

The penalties include fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both, and for a second or subsequent offence, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. A company found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 for subsequent offences.

How to better protect yourself when buying cosmetics?

If you suspect the cosmetic you bought may be illegal, you may cross-check with the two following lists on the NPRA website:

Unregistered adulterated product

Cancellation of notified cosmetic product

The products listed in the portal are the products NPRA found to contain banned substances and have been withdrawn from the market. 

To complain about any cosmetic product, refer here 

References:

1. https://www.npra.gov.my/index.php/en/component/content/article/215-press-release/press-release-2018/1756-press-statement-director-general-of-health-cosmetic-products-found-to-contain-scheduled-poison?Itemid=437

2. https://www.npra.gov.my/index.php/en/component/content/article/147-english/guidelines-cosmetic/1596-3-0-regulatory-requirements-for-cosmetics.html?Itemid=1391

3. https://www.pharmacy.gov.my/v2/sites/default/files/BPFK_Cosmetic_Advertising_Code.pdf

4. https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/Article/2019/11/18/Malaysia-vows-to-take-action-over-dangerous-and-adulterated-cosmetics

5. http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/adulterants-in-cosmetic-products/

Written by

Ms Joyce Toh