BPOM Acts on Illegal Cosmetics Factories Suspected of Containing Prohibited Ingredients

The Head of Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) reaffirmed that it is extremely dangerous for one's health to use cosmetics without a distribution permit and/or that contain chemicals that are not permitted by the technical standards for cosmetic ingredients. 

Following are some health dangers that could arise from using cosmetics that contain banned ingredients: 

1. Hydroquinone, can cause ochronosis effects (the skin becomes blackish) 
2. Retinoic acid/Tretinoin can cause skin irritation, itchy skin, swelling, redness, dryness, or peeling and is teratogenic (causes birth defects in the fetus)
3. Resorcinol can cause skin irritation and disrupt the immune system
4. Clindamycin can cause skin irritation
5. Fluocinolone can cause itching, heat, peeling, and dry skin, swollen or inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis), discoloration of the skin, and hardening of the skin