Unregistered cosmetics can cause skin cancer

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry yesterday informed the public not to use unregistered cosmetics and cosmetic devices available in pharmacies and sold by individuals because there is a possibility of developing skin cancer due to harmful chemicals.

A Health Ministry spokesman said it has been discovered that many unregistered cosmetics and cosmetic devices are available in private pharmacies and with individuals who bring them down from abroad.

Some are harmful to the body and cause allergies, rashes and sometimes skin cancer (if used for a long time), he said.

All cosmetics and cosmetic devices sold in Sri Lanka should be registered with the National Drug Authority under the Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Act No. 27 of 1980.

The authority thoroughly tests the chemicals used for the products and register them only if they are not harmful.

The authority will conduct countrywide raids to detect private pharmacies and individuals selling unregistered cosmetics and cosmetic devices, he said.

The authority took this decision after discovering harmful unregistered cosmetics and cosmetic devices from private pharmacies in Pettah and Fort last Friday, he added.