Brunei Health Ministry raises red flag on cosmetic products

Pinkkiss Beauty Skincare 3 in 1 – Therapy Treatment Night Cream 2. - BB

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Four types of cosmetic products have been found to be adulterated with undeclared, banned ingredient scheduled poisons listed in the Poisons Act 1956, said the Ministry of Health (MoH) in a press statement on Wednesday (Jan 12).

According to the MoH, the Laboratory of Pharmacy Section at the Department of Scientific Services found mercury in Pinkkiss Beauty Skincare 3 in 1 – Mixberry Night Cream 1 and Pinkkiss Beauty Care Muda Remaja Sepanjang Usia – Herbal Cream, hydroquinone and tretinoin in Pinkkis Beauty Skincare 3 in 1 – Therapy Treatment Night Cream 2 and Pinkkiss Beauty Care Muda Remaja Sepanjang Usia – Treatment Cream.

The adulterants found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous to the people using them.

Hydroquinone is used in Western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations. Unsupervised use of hydroquinone may cause skin hypersensitivity, skin discoloration resulting in gradual darkening of the affected skin area and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Tretinoin is a potent ingredient used in western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations. Inappropriate use of tretinoin could lead to redness, peeling and scarring of the skin.

Mercury is a potent ingredient that is prohibited in cosmetic products as stipulated in the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007.