A sweeping cosmetics crackdown in Asturias targets unsafe products
More than 6,000 cosmetic items were removed from shelves in Asturias after inspectors found violations of health rules that prohibit certain ingredients from being listed. A wide control operation led to 6,079 products being withdrawn, and consumers are warned to avoid buying cosmetics that are unusually inexpensive or that imitate well known brands.
Officials explain that a recent regulatory update narrows allowed ingredients and requires the removal of products still carrying restricted substances. This includes protections related to CMR substances, which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction. The European Union revised these regulations in 2021 and 2022, and the Civil Guard has since stepped up checks of ingredient lists in Asturian shops. Images released by the force illustrate items pulled from sale because they contained prohibited chemicals such as Butylphenyl Methylpropional and Hydroisohexyl-3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde.
The label of one withdrawn product clearly shows the prohibited ingredients.
Types of cosmetics that showed irregularities include colognes and perfumes (2,824 items), deodorants (1,409), nail products (959), hair products (632), and body products like creams, gels, and oils (255).
The Civil Guard notes that in the month of May it intensified regional inspections to audit how cosmetic products are offered in shops. The aim is to identify products of counterfeit origin and ensure compliance with health and labeling requirements. A total of 25 businesses were audited, and 6,079 cosmetic items were removed from sale with a retail value of 17,082 euros. In addition, 136 complaints were filed for administrative offenses, covering issues such as missing mandatory labeling data, presence of a prohibited chemical due to a change in law, or the use-by period expiring. Other concerns included contraband, illegal import, or illegal trade and consumption.
The operation prompted a public warning to residents of Asturias about the risks of using certain cosmetic products. Counterfeit cosmetics are increasingly common, and the potential savings can lure shoppers who underestimate the danger. Fake cosmetics often differ in composition from authentic products and may include industrial solvents, toxic substances, or ingredients that are strictly prohibited. These products stay on the skin for hours and can trigger irritant dermatitis, inhalation issues, eye irritation, dermatitis, or allergic reactions, according to the Civil Guard report.
Wariness about cosmetic safety continues to grow among authorities and consumers alike, with sharper scrutiny expected on labeling, ingredient disclosure, and the origin of products sold in shops across the region.