The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a fresh warning to Nigerians over the use of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone levels above the approved limit, citing serious health risks.
Mr Hamis Yahaya, NAFDAC Coordinator in Bauchi State, gave the advice during an interview on Tuesday in Bauchi.
Hydroquinone is a chemical compound used to treat skin conditions such as melasma, age spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation. However, excessive use can be hazardous to health.
Yahaya explained that the permissible limit for hydroquinone in cosmetics is just two percent, and anything above that could pose grave health dangers.
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“Applying creams with hydroquinone content above two per cent is harmful. Hydroquinone affects users’ health gradually and has been linked to severe conditions, including cancer,” he warned.
He also condemned the practice of mixing creams by non-professionals, describing it as risky and unregulated.
“The black skin contains melanin, which provides natural protection against harmful radiation. Tampering with this natural defence through excessive bleaching undermines the body’s protective barrier,” Yahaya added.
NAFDAC, he noted, routinely conducts market surveillance and inspections to ensure that only safe and approved cosmetic products are available to consumers.
He called on the media and other stakeholders to help raise awareness on the dangers of unregulated skin-lightening products, urging Nigerians to prioritise their health over beauty trends.
“It is important that we sensitise the public to the hidden risks in these products. We must all work together to reduce the use of harmful cosmetics that endanger lives,” Yahaya stated.