Breaking News English

People told to avoid skin-lightening creams

Skin-Lightening Cream - Level 4

Officials in the UK warned people about some skin-lightening creams. Some of the creams have banned ingredients and are illegal. They are on sale in UK stores. The creams could pose a serious threat to people's health. There has been an increase in the number of people with health problems after using the creams. These include rashes, burns and scars. The creams could increase the risk of skin cancer, and liver and kidney damage.

The global skin-lightening industry is worth $4.8 billion. It could double to around $8.9 billion in ten years. There are "rogue retailers" selling illegal skin-lightening lotions. They do not put the illegal substances on the labels. Some of the ingredients are like paint stripper. It can burn off the top layer of skin. Some cream is very dangerous and could seriously damage people's health. It could scar you for life or even kill people.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Skin-Lightening Cream - Level 5

Local governments in the UK have warned consumers about the use of some skin-lightening creams. Some of the lightening creams they tested contained banned ingredients and so were illegal. However, they were on sale in UK stores. A spokesperson said the creams could pose a serious threat to consumers' health. He said there has been an increase in the number of users experiencing health problems after using the creams. These include rashes, burns and scars. The spokesperson said the creams could increase the risk of skin cancer, and liver and kidney damage.

The global skin-lightening industry is estimated at $4.8 billion. It is forecast to double to around $8.9 billion in ten years. The local governments warned that "rogue retailers" were selling illegal skin-lightening lotions and omitted to put the illegal substances on the labels. Some of the ingredients acted like paint stripper. It could burn off the top layer of skin. A spokesperson said: "Skin creams containing banned ingredients are very dangerous and could seriously damage your health, scar you for life and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Skin-Lightening Cream - Level 6

An association of local governments in the UK, called the LGA, has warned consumers about the use of some skin-lightening creams. The LGA discovered that some of the whitening cosmetics they tested contained banned ingredients and were thus illegal. However, they were available for purchase in UK stores. An LGA spokesperson said these ingredients could pose a serious threat to consumers' health. He said there has been an increase in the number of users experiencing health problems after using the creams. These include seizures, rashes and scarring. The spokesperson said the creams could increase the risk of skin cancer, and liver and kidney damage.

The global skin-lightening industry is booming. In 2017, it was valued at an estimated $4.8 billion and is forecast to nearly double to around $8.9 billion in the next decade. Many people use it to reduce the darkness of the color of their skin. The LGA warned that "rogue retailers" were selling illegal skin-lightening lotions on which the label incorrectly listed the ingredients and omitted the illegal substances. The LGA said some illegal ingredients acted like paint stripper and could burn off the top layer of skin. It said: "Skin creams containing banned ingredients are very dangerous and could seriously damage your health, scar you for life and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson