Ivory Coast bans potentially deadly skin-whitening creams

Concerns widely-used creams containing mercury, cortisone, vitamin A or hydroquinine could cause lasting damage to health triggers government ban

Ivory Coast has banned skin-whitening creams, which are widely used in west Africa, because of fears they cause lasting damage to health, the health ministry said Wednesday.

“Cosmetic lightening and hygiene creams ... that depigment the skin ... are now forbidden,” the ministry said in a statement.

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