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Bleaching and Skin of Colour

Our goal is to help dermatologists, healthcare professionals and patients better understand the widespread issue of unregulated skin lighteners, many of which contain banned or harmful ingredients, and to support efforts for safer patient care and regulatory change

This leaflet explains the history of skin lightening and the risks linked to chemicals often found in unregulated skin lightening or bleaching products. It also gives advice from dermatologists for those who want to treat uneven skin tone caused by inflammation, injury, or ageing. It has been simplified to be understood by anyone with a reading age of 10 years and over.

WHAT IS SKIN BLEACHING?

Skin bleaching, also called skin lightening, is when people try to make their skin lighter by reducing a natural brown pigment called melanin. There is no real difference between the ingredients used in skin bleaching and skin lightening products. The wish for lighter skin has created a huge industry worth billions of pounds.

WHY DO PEOPLE BLEACH THEIR SKIN?

The reasons for bleaching are complicated. Some people feel social or economic pressure. In history, darker skin was often linked to outdoor work, and lighter skin was seen as a sign of higher social status, especially in old Indian texts and during European colonial times in Africa and Asia. Because of this, lighter skin was seen as a way to move up in society. Today, skin bleaching is more common in people with darker skin tones who want lighter-looking skin. Sadly, even though slavery and colonialism have ended, these ideas still affect society and can be seen in media and advertising.

WHY IS SKIN BLEACHING DANGEROUS?

Unregulated skin bleaching products can have very dangerous ingredients. These might include hydroquinone, steroids, mercury, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or even bleach used in
cleaning. Here are some details:

  • Hydroquinone can stop your skin from making its natural colour. If you use it too much, your skin and eyes might turn yellow or brown forever. It can also make your skin irritated, cause allergies, make you more likely to get sunburn, and damage your eyes. In the UK, you can't buy or use hydroquinone without a doctor's care because of these dangers.

  • Steroid creams are sometimes used by doctors for skin problems, but strong steroids in skin bleaching creams can be very harmful if not used correctly. They can make your skin very thin, give you stretch marks, bruising, spots, infections, and even harm your eyes if used near them.

  • Mercury is a very poisonous metal. It can hurt your skin, lungs, stomach, kidneys, brain, and nerves. Mercury can also harm people living in the same house, even if they don't use the cream themselves.

  • Glutathione is a chemical that some people use to lighten skin, often as tablets or injections. There isn't much information on if it works or how safe it is. It can cause serious problems like kidney or liver failure and dangerous infections, especially if injected.

IS THERE A SAFE WAY TO LIGHTEN YOUR SKIN?

The best advice is to love your skin as it is. If your skin has changed colour because of a medical problem, it's important to see a skin doctor (dermatologist), who can give safe and helpful advice. A dermatologist might suggest:

  • Using a strong sun cream to protect your skin from the sun.

  • Wearing protective clothing and hats.

  • Taking vitamin D if you avoid the sun.

  • Trying products with niacinamide, azelaic acid, or retinoids, which can help even skin tone if used safely.

  • Using hydroquinone only if a doctor says it's safe for your condition.

  • Some shop-bought creams like thiamidol and melasyl might help a little, but changes take a few months to see.

  • Always test new products on a small patch of skin first and add them slowly to your routine.

  • Makeup and concealer are safe ways to help your skin look more even in colour.

Key Things to Remember About Skin Bleaching

  • Skin bleaching is dangerous. It means trying to make your skin lighter or whiter, which can harm your health.

  • This happens because of social, cultural, and money reasons. Some people feel pressured by what others say or by things they see in society.

  • Using skin lightening products that are not checked by experts can cause serious and lasting health problems.

  • If you are worried about your skin or its colour, always talk to a skin doctor, called a dermatologist. They know how to help safely.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Support for Wellbeing

If you are feeling sad or worried about your skin colour, these services can help:

Information in Different Formats

Reporting Harmful Products

  • Many skin bleaching products are not allowed in the UK.

  • The London Trading Standards has a list of skin lightening products that are not safe:

  • LTS-Cosmetic-Product-failed-samples-2024-v1.1.pdf

  • If you know about someone selling harmful bleaching products, you can tell London Trading Standards here: Report consumer crime – London Trading Standards

Why Share This Information?

Raise Awareness: Many of these products are still sold through informal channels, often without proper labelling or regulation. Public access to this information can help reduce harm. 

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Improve Clinical Guidance: Dermatologists must be able to identify products patients may be using and understand the associated risks. 

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Support Advocacy & Policy: Sharing LTS’s findings contributes to ongoing efforts toward stronger regulatory enforcement and consumer protection. 

Safety and Awareness Resources

To support education around the health and social implications of skin bleaching, we’ve gathered a set of resources related to safe practice, patient communication, and alternatives. 

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