Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia-According to Health Minister Pharmacy Services Senior Director Eisah A. Rahman there are SIX Whitening products contain posion that could be harmful for the health. The products are from 4 companies and the scheduled poisons are -- Tretinoin and Hydroquinone

Those whitening products are Temulawak Whitening Pearl Cream Papaya, Ratna Sari Whitening Night Cream, Atika Beuty Renewel Night Cream, Chantique Whitening Night Cream, NV Toner Treatment No 1 and NV Toner Treatment No 2.

The affected products are produced by Re-X Products Co. Ltd Thailand, SKY Resources Sdn Bhd, Chemi Lab Cosmetic Industries and Maxbeuty Industries Sdn Bhd

She said the use of Tretinoin and Hydroquinone were not allowed in cosmetic products because of their side effects if used without doctor's advice.

She also mentioned that Tretinoin can cause redness on the skin, discomfort, peelings and make it hypertensive to sun light.

While hydroquinone will also cause the same effects, except discolouration of the skin and also made the skin hypersensitive.The effect of using hydroquinone can prevent pigmentation process where the process reduces protection of the skin to ultraviolet rays and excessive sunlight which can cause skin cancer.

As such, she advised the public to stop using the products and for traders to stop selling them with immediate effect because if trader caught for selling these products, they will be fined up to RM25,000 or three year's jail or both if convicted for violating the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.