The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has expressed concern over the increasing use of skin-lightening products (SLPs) among Nigerians and Africans at large.
Speaking on Wednesday at the high-level segment of the regional awareness-raising workshop on the elimination of lightening cosmetic products in Gabon, Dr. Salako highlighted the widespread prevalence of skin-bleaching practices, especially among women in Africa.
Harmful Effects of Skin-Bleaching Products
Dr. Salako noted that despite the well-documented health risks, including exposure to harmful substances such as mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids, the global use of SLPs remains high, particularly in non-white populations.
He revealed that Nigeria is working on developing a National Policy on Cosmetics, which aims to ensure the safety and quality of cosmetic products in the country.
“I must say that not only are men using SLPs, men also tend to put pressure on women directly or indirectly to lighten their skin, and therefore our campaigns must not exclude the menfolks,” Dr. Salako emphasized.
Nigeria: “The World Capital of Skin Bleaching”
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Dr. Salako mentioned that Nigeria has the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally, with 77% of Nigerian women reportedly using such products.
“This rate is the highest in the world, reinforcing the prevalence of a cultural and societal preference for lighter skin tones in the country,” he said.
The minister also pointed to studies indicating the high prevalence of skin-bleaching practices in Nigeria, influenced by peer pressure, societal beauty standards, and the misconception that “toning” is safer than bleaching.
Health Risks and Regulatory Actions
Dr. Salako warned about the dangers of these products, which often contain hazardous chemicals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium, posing risks such as skin damage, organ toxicity, and even cancer.
He highlighted several proactive measures taken by the Federal Government to address this issue, including:
- The Cosmetic Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations 2019, which ban harmful substances like mercury and limit hydroquinone concentration to 2%.
- Ensuring all cosmetic products sold in Nigeria are registered, tested, and certified for safety by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
- Seizing and destroying unregistered and counterfeit products during routine inspections and market surveillance.
- Monitoring online platforms for mercury-containing products and conducting grassroots sensitization campaigns.
Public Health Campaigns and Advocacy
The ministry has implemented various community outreach programs and media campaigns to educate Nigerians on the risks associated with unsafe cosmetics. These efforts are part of the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, which focuses on behavioral change and promoting healthier beauty standards.
Dr. Salako also mentioned the introduction of the MedSafety App, designed to facilitate the reporting of adverse reactions, including those related to cosmetic products.
“We have developed a guideline on the safety assessment of cosmetic products to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure that all products meet international safety standards,” he stated.
The high prevalence of SLP usage in Nigeria and other parts of Africa underscores the need for targeted public health campaigns, stricter regulatory enforcement, and widespread community advocacy. Dr. Salako reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the use of safe and inclusive cosmetic products while tackling the root causes of skin-lightening product usage.authenticity before purchase are conducted. The introduction of the MedSafety app is being used to ease the reporting of all forms of adverse reaction including adverse cosmetics events,” he said.
He added that a guideline on the safety assessment of cosmetic products is being developed to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure that all products meet international safety standards.
