Azlan Othman
The Ministry of Health (MoH) alerted the public to eight cosmetic products tested by the Laboratory of Pharmacy Section, Department of Scientific Services, MoH and found to be adulterated with undeclared, potent western medicine.
The cosmetic products are SSII Treatment Cream adulterated with Tretinoin and Hydroquinone, Skin Reborn Essentials Rejuvenating Cream Whitening & Moisturiser (Night Cream) manufactured by Eulaila Beauty Station, Philippines and found to be adulterated
with Tretinoin.
Skin Reborn Essentials Facial Solution Deep Cleanser (for night only) is also manufactured by Eulaila Beauty Station, Philippines and contains Tretinoin while Beauche Clarifying Solution Deep Cleansing Agent Helps Remove Pimple manufactured by Beauche International by Conchita Inc, Philippines and contains Tretinoin. Meanwhile, Beauche Rejuvenating Cream Whitening & Moisturiser is also manufactured by Beauche International by Conchita Inc, Philippines and contains Tretinoin, Prestige – Rejuvenating Plus Cream from the Philippines also contains Tretinoin and Hydroquinone, Brilliant Skin Essentials – Whitening Facial Toner manufactured by Brilliant Skin Essentials, Philippines contains Hydroquinone while Crystal Infinity – Pekas Cream manufactured by Crystal Infinity Beauty Products Enterprise, Philippines contains Tretinoin.
The adulterant found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous.
Hydroquinone is used in western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations.
Unsupervised use of Hydroquinone may cause skin hypersensitivity, skin discolouration resulting in gradual darkening of the affected skin area and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Tretinoin is a potent ingredient used in western prescription medicines to treat skin conditions and is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations. Inappropriate use of Tretinoin could lead to redness, peeling and scarring of the skin.
The MoH has not issued approval for the importation for sale and/or Cosmetic Notification Acknowledgement Letter for the products. The products listed are not allowed to be imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.
The public who purchased or used these products are advised to stop using them immediately. They should consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience any reactions as a result of using them.
The public involved in the retail of these products (including online retail) are reminded that it is an offence under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations, 2007 to import and market cosmetic products in the local market without a Cosmetic Product Notification Acknowledgement Letter issued by the authority.
The penalty for contravening these regulations upon conviction is a fine not exceeding BND5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both. The MoH seeks public cooperation to report to the Compliance and Licensing Section if any of these products are still found on the market in the sultanate.
The public can contact the Compliance and Licensing Section at 2393298 extension 208, e-mail pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn, visit 1st Floor, Compliance and Licensing Section, Department of Pharmaceutical Services’ Building, Kampong Madaras, Mukim Gadong ‘A’ or call the Darussalam hotline 123 for information.