The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a warning regarding a cosmetic product that has been found to contain a banned substance following laboratory tests conducted by the Department of Scientific Services. The affected product, BABY SHINE 3 IN 1 – Treatment Night Cream, manufactured in Malaysia, was found to be adulterated with hydroquinone, a scheduled poison prohibited in cosmetic products under Brunei’s Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations.
Hydroquinone is typically used in prescription medicine to treat specific skin conditions but is banned in cosmetic products due to its potential health risks. Unsupervised use of hydroquinone may lead to skin hypersensitivity, discoloration, gradual darkening of affected areas, and even an increased risk of skin cancer.
The Ministry clarified that the importation and sale of this product have not been approved, and no Cosmetic Notification Acknowledgement Letter has been issued. As a result, the product is banned from being imported or sold in Brunei.
The public is advised to immediately discontinue the use of this product and consult a medical professional if they experience any adverse reactions after using the product.
Retailing the product, including via online platforms like Facebook, is a violation of the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations, 2007. Offenders face penalties of up to BND5,000 in fines, two years of imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
The Ministry has urged the public to report any instances of the product being sold in Brunei to the Compliance and Licensing Section. For further information, the public may contact the MoH directly. – James Kon
