The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.
Speaking in Bauchi on Tuesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NAFDAC’s State Coordinator, Mr. Hamis Yahaya, explained that many skincare products in the market today are being misused or mixed with harmful substances, which may lead to serious health problems over time.
Hydroquinone is a substance often used in skincare to reduce dark patches on the skin, like age spots and melasma. While it can be helpful in small amounts, NAFDAC has set a limit to ensure people stay safe.
Yahaya noted that, “The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.” He further said that using hydroquinone in amounts above two per cent — which is the limit set by NAFDAC — can damage the skin and harm a person’s health.
“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong,” Yahaya stated.
He also pointed out that long-term use of such products could slowly damage internal organs or lead to more dangerous conditions. “Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he warned.
To prevent this danger, Yahaya said NAFDAC regularly checks skincare products being sold in the market. These checks help protect consumers from unsafe substances.
He also called on journalists and media houses to help educate the public about the dangers of skin-lightening creams that contain too much hydroquinone. “There is a need to inform people properly so they can make safe choices,” he added.
Yahaya urged Nigerians to stop using creams mixed by untrained individuals and instead buy only NAFDAC-approved products with correct labeling and ingredients. This, he said, is a simple but important way to avoid serious health issues linked to harmful chemicals in cosmetic products.
