A Bromley business has been prosecuted after wrongly labelled and dangerous cosmetics were seized.

Ghulam Mustafa, director of Woolwich Sabina Hair and Cosmetics Limited in The Mall, Bromley, pleaded guilty on behalf of the company of 19 charges under the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.

The business was fined £9,120 and he assured Bromley Magistrates’ Court all non-compliant products had since been removed.

A visit from Bromley’s Trading Standards team in February led to 10 samples of cosmetics tested for banned or restricted substances.

Two items contained the restricted substance Hydroquinone, while all samples failed the labelling requirements.

Hydroquinone is prescribed to patients with patches of skin darker than their usual colour.

Medical experts say if used incorrectly it can take away the skin’s melanin leaving people more prone to skin cancer.

Councillor Kate Lymer said: “Despite the fact that creams with Hydroquinone in are prescription-only in the UK and need to be used under the strict supervision of a dermatologist, the market for bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone, steroids and mercury continues to thrive in Britain.

“It is difficult to know how large the market is due to the illegal nature of what is being sold but if Bromley residents come across further examples in our Borough, they are encouraged to report the matter to Bromley Trading Standards via Citizens Advice consumer helpline."

The business has hired a compliance manager to ensure their products are better monitored in future.