Overview

• The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued an urgent warning about unregulated nasal tanning sprays containing Melanotan 2, citing potential links to melanoma skin cancer.
• These products, marketed as cosmetics to bypass medicinal regulations, are widely promoted on social media and sold in youth-targeted flavours like bubblegum and peach.
• Users have reported severe side effects, including nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, respiratory distress, and permanent skin damage such as scarring and pigmentation changes.
• Health experts, including Melanoma Focus and the Sunbed Association, have joined CTSI in urging consumers to avoid these sprays and opt for regulated alternatives like creams and lotions.
• The CTSI's #CostofBeauty campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of unregulated beauty products, as the UK self-tan market is projected to grow to £746.3 million by 2027.