The ugly side of unregulated beauty products market

An ongoing Police investigation into an illegal assets case involving a businesswoman and model has led to widespread reporting in the media on her beauty product business which includes selling skin whitening cosmetics at the hefty sum of Rs. 35,000 per pack. Interestingly she has been carrying on the business without the due registration with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). 

Under the provisions of the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act, no person shall import, store, sell, distribute, transport, offer for sale, expose for sale or advertise any cosmetic, device or drug, which is not registered with the Authority. But in reality, the cosmetic market in Sri Lanka is saturated with so called beauty products that are outdated, substandard and could lead to serious long-term health effects.

It is women who consume beauty products overwhelmingly and with more women getting financially independent, there is the growing demand for such products and skin whitening products are among those that are heavily prompted with promise of miraculous results of lighter skin tones.

However, the dangers of using such products are not fully explained and there have been numerous instances where consumers have had to seek medical intervention due to allergies and other skin conditions that have arisen due to the use of such products.

Several medical specialists who have spoken out regarding the use of skin whitening products say they have been consulted by many patients who have suffered allergies and other skin conditions after using such products and warn consumers to check with a doctor or a professionally trained beautician before they use them.

In India where skin whitening creams are a rage, new restrictions on advertising of such products were introduced a few years ago including a ban on sales without a prescription but the addiction to the use of skin whitening products remains high.

Adding to the overuse of chemical-based products is the proliferation of so-called herbal products, many of which are not properly regulated but are heavily advertised and propagated through the media as being a panacea for all cosmetic related problems.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-5) which Sri Lanka signed in 2014 and ratified in 2017, in a message to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, drew attention to the harmful effects of skin-lightening mercury-containing products.

“The World Health Organization warns that mercury, a common ingredient in many skin-lightening products, poses serious health risks. Mercury exposure can result in kidney damage, neurological disorders, and other adverse health effects. Pregnant women, babies, and young children are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects,” the Convention said in March this year.

The question is whether the NMRA is equipped well enough to check on the suitability of beauty care products that are sold widely in the local market and if there are enough laboratory facilities to check on the chemical contents of these products.

While choosing to use skin whitening products is a personal choice, consumers must be educated on the possible harmful effects of such products so they can make an informed decision. Consumers should understand that what they may perceive as beneficial could do more harm than good.

In Sri Lanka the regulatory authority often cites the lack of adequate powers in the law to punish those marketing substandard and harmful products. Hence the Government should take a serious look at amending the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act and give more power to the relevant authorities so that such products can be banned in the country and those selling such harmful products can be duly punished.