The six are Temulawak whitening pearl cream papaya, Ratna whitening cream papaya, Atika beauty renewal night cream, Chatique whitening night cream, NV toner treatment No 1 and NV toner treatment No 2.

In a statement yesterday, Health Ministry's pharmaceutical services senior director Eisah A. Rahman said the two elements were banned in cosmetic products because of the side-effects on users.

"Tretinoin can cause skin redness, discomfort, peeling and hypersensitivity to the sun.

"Hydroquinone can also cause depigmentation that will reduce the skin's protection and thus increase the risk of skin cancer," she said, adding that depigmentation is more dangerous for those living in tropical countries.

Eisah urged those with the stock of these products to stop selling, distributing and using them immediately.

"Selling these products is against the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 which provides for a fine of less than RM25,000 S$(10,300) or a jail term of up to three years or both, under Section 12 of the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, for the first offence.

"Repeat offenders can be fined up to RM50,000 and jailed less than five years or both," she said.

She said companies that committed the offence for the first time could be fined up to RM50,000 while the maximum fine for repeat offenders was RM100,000.