Dubai: The Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality has warned residents against using a skin whitening cream that has not been registered and has potentially harmful components.
The department issued the warning against Faiza Cream on the civic body’s social media pages.
It said the cream has not been registered in its mobile application Montaji, which has details of all the licensed products, and it has also been found to contain undeclared prescription pharmaceutical components.
The components included Hydroquinone, and mercury, a chemical with a toxic effect on humans, as previously announced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE, the post said.
Hydroquinone works to reduce the amount of melanin skin produces, and in turn makes skin lighter in appearance. Its prolonged use can make skin more susceptible to UVA and UVB rays that can lead to dangerous sunburns, and pose an increased risk of certain types of skin cancer.
Mercury exposure at high levels can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.
“Therefore, Dubai Municipality appeals to the public and consumers to report the product when they see it and communicate with us through #Montaji application, or by contacting the municipality’s call centre on 800900 (24/7) to report safety of consumer products related issues,” it added.
An online search showed that the cream has been marketed through e-commerce stores.
