The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning against the use of cosmetic products containing excessive levels of hydroquinone, particularly in bleaching creams, citing serious health risks.
The caution was issued on Tuesday in Bauchi by the NAFDAC State Coordinator, Mr. Hamis Yahaya, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Hydroquinone, commonly used as a skin-lightening agent, is applied to treat conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, and age spots. However, Yahaya explained that the approved concentration for hydroquinone in cosmetic products is strictly limited to two per cent.
“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content,” Yahaya noted. “Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.”
He warned that prolonged use of such products could lead to severe health complications, including cancer, due to the chemical’s cumulative effects on the body.
Yahaya also highlighted NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate cosmetic products in Nigerian markets to ensure public safety. He called on the media to assist in spreading awareness about the dangers associated with the use of unregulated and improperly mixed cosmetic products.
In recent months, NAFDAC has taken enforcement actions across the country, including the sealing of shops and arrests related to the illegal sale of bleaching creams.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting consumer health and urged Nigerians to purchase only NAFDAC-approved products.
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