Lionel Richie aftershave pulled from shelves over “infertility” worries
A fragrance by Lionel Richie has been pulled from supermarket shelves in the UK after the government’s product watchdog issued an urgent safety warning.
Richie’s perfume product, ‘Hello’, was named after the superstar’s most well-known hit single, but hasn’t quite gone down the same way with fans. The scent contains butylphenyl methylpropional, a synthetic floral fragrance that has been banned in the UK and Europe since 2022.
This chemical was once commonly used in cosmetics. It can irritate skin and cause allergies. However, most notably, the chemical was banned as it can cause harm to unborn babies and the reproductive system.
Not only has it been removed by stores, but anyone who has purchased the scent has been urged to stop using it immediately and return the product to one of the 500 Savers stores situated across the UK.
The official warning that slammed the perfume read: “The products present a serious chemical risk as they contain butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA/lilial), which is prohibited in cosmetic products. BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, may harm the health of the unborn child, and may cause skin sensitisation.”
It went on, “Affected products have been withdrawn from the market by Savers Health and Beauty. Owners of the affected product should stop using it immediately and seek redress from the place of purchase.” The call-out has been particularly dramatic, given that it comes at the height of the holiday season.
Not quite what the musician had in mind for his scent, which has otherwise been described as “a sultry mix of vetiver, lavender, grapefruit, bitter orange, and mint.” It was inspired by the singer-songwriter’s garden.
Before the official warning stopped him in his tracks, Richie was proud of the scent, sharing at its launch in 2020, “Before I had my fragrance, I would put a combination of things together. Now what I’ve done is taken those various little concoctions and put them all together.”