7 Skincare Products Banned By NAFDAC You Must Avoid

 

NAFDAC banned 7 skincare products due to harmful ingredients like BMHCA and mercury. Learn about the health risks and find safe skincare alternatives.

NAFDAC has flagged and recalled several popular skincare products over the past two years due to unsafe ingredients, including fragrances that harm reproductive health, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors. 

In this article, I’ll highlight seven products you should avoid, why they were banned, and their potential health risks. I will also recommend healthier alternatives that nourish rather than compromise your skin’s health.

Why NAFDAC Bans Harmful Skincare Products?

NAFDAC’s mandate is to protect public health by ensuring regulated products meet safety standards. Cosmetic products can be recalled or banned if they:

·         It contains prohibited chemicals like butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which can impair reproduction and irritate the skin.

• Exceed safe concentrations of active agents such as kojic acid, which are linked to endocrine disruption.
• Include heavy metals (e.g., mercury) that accumulate in the body, damaging the kidneys and nervous system, and harming unborn children.
• Use potent actives without supervision, like hydroquinone or steroids, which cause thinning skin, pigmentation changes, and systemic toxicity.

7 Banned Products to Avoid

1. Nivea BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll‑On Deodorant

NAFDAC recalled the Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on Deodorant due to BMHCA, a fragrance allergen banned in cosmetics because it can disrupt reproductive function, harm foetal development, and cause skin irritation and burns. According to NAFDAC’s recent investigation, the Black and White Nivea Roll-on deodorant manufactured in Nigeria contains no non-compliant ingredient (BMHCA).

2. Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap

Dove Beauty Bar Soap was recalled after EU authorities detected Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) in this bar soap, violating cosmetic regulations. BMHCA exposure increases the risk of reproductive toxicity and skin sensitisation and may harm an unborn child.

3. Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No. 6 Mystic Flower)

NAFDAC imposed a ban on this Turkish-made soap after it was found to contain BMHCA, with the same reproductive and dermatological hazards as above.

4. Caro White Skin Lightening Beauty Lotion

Caro White Skin Lightening Beauty Lotion was recalled for containing kojic acid above the EU’s 1% limit. High concentrations of kojic acid carry endocrine‑disrupting potential and can irritate sensitive skin.

5. Dona White Extra Whitening Lotion

This Italian-made lotion was also banned for mercury (1.33 mg/kg), sufficient to cause cumulative toxicity and neurodevelopmental harm in children.

6. Sheesha Beauty Cream

NAFDAC banned Sheesha Beauty Cream for an alarmingly high mercury content (17,400 mg/kg). Chronic mercury exposure damages the kidneys, the brain, and the nervous system and poses serious risks to pregnant women and their foetuses. 

7. Radox Care + Moisturise Liquid Hand Wash

Recalled due to BMHCA in its formula, risking reproductive health and triggering skin sensitisation in frequent handwashers.

It is crucial to understand which skincare products are safe. Some of the products listed above pose serious health risks, including reproductive toxicity, neurological damage, and endocrine disruption.

Review product labels and cross-reference with NAFDAC's alerts to avoid buying these banned products. It's advisable to choose safer alternatives with transparent ingredient lists and certifications. Consulting a dermatologist can provide personalised guidance for selecting products that meet your skincare needs without compromising your health.

Credit: Pulseng