Pure Perfect skin-lightening cream being tested after users complained cream “destroyed” their skin
Important Note/Alert: This article has received multiple fake or fraudulent comments
Senior head of the skin clinic at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Ncoza Dlova, said she had sent samples of Pure Perfect for analysis after 15 patients said the product had caused them to break out in acne or darkened the colour of their skin. Other Durban dermatologists had seen patients with similar complaints after using the facial cream, which sold for nearly R1000 in 11 selected stores countrywide. In an online blog, Pure Perfect users posted complaints saying that the product had “destroyed” their skin.
“What usually happens with skin lighteners is that in the first month or so your skin will look really nice and, as a result, patients get a false sense of improvement. Then, four to six months later, they will start to see complications, but by then the damage would already have been done,” said Dlova.
“I have been working with a chemist and I have sent a sample of Pure Perfect to be analysed where they will look for the presence of steroids or any banned substances.” Efforts to contact Pure Perfect were unsuccessful.
- Former Miss India South Africa and actress, Sorisha Naidoo, endorsed the skin-lightening product
Actress Sorisha Naidoo endorsed the US-based skin lightening product after criticism of her skin colour. However, in December, she admitted in a half-page advertisement in a local newspaper that she had co-developed a “new and improved parfait”, as the old cream had caused her to go from “a beautiful white shade to a very pink, flushed tone”.
The new composition is said to cause “brighter, lighter and clearer skin within days”. The first product, according to Naidoo, was discontinued, as it bruised and scarred her face and neck.
“I constantly had to cover blotches and red marks or bruises on my neck or face. I met a cosmetologist from the UK in June who advised me that the product was exfoliating my skin faster than it could repair itself, hence the white tone of my skin was gone, only to be replaced by the very last layers of dermis.”
Naidoo said consumers who tried the new cream would experience transitional side-effects, but that these were “one step closer to happier and healthier whitening”.
On her website, Naidoo said the new product was passed by the Department of Health and did not contain any banned substances, including hydroquinone. She said that in the past three years several dermatologists had tested the products and found no harmful substances.
She was aware that some people had experienced negative reactions to the first cream.
“I believe, however, that these people weren’t using the product correctly.” She said she believed it was “good practice and every individual’s right” to have the product analyzed. She said both the old and the new products had received Medicines Control Council (MCC) verification under the cosmetic category.
Extracts from a Times Live article by Corrinne Louw and Teneshia Naidoo, published 30 January 2010 (original)
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM HESSA – 17 April 2010
This post has received an inordinate amount of suspicious e-mails and comments. I feel it is my duty to warn unsuspecting readers.
Suspicious e-mails
1. E-mails from “a lawyer”
To date, I have received e-mails from a (supposed) lawyer representing Au’bede Distribution Inc., the exclusive distributor of Fair & Flawless skin care products. This person, who used a yahoo e-mail address, asked me to remove a specific comment cited below (from a commenter called Charlene) that mentioned the poor effects the cream had on her.
I am a former Fair and Flawless user. After a month of using the product my face and neck started swelling up like a blowfish and my skin became blotchy. My skin still hasn’t recovered after a year. I believe this contains steroids if you know what is good for you don’t use it!
I refused to take down the comment without sufficient evidence. However, in the interest of fairness, I also asked for product lab test certification that would easily prove there are no harmful ingredients in the product. I said I would be happy to post this proof on the website. However, this person did not furnish this certification and have ceased further e-mails. (To this day, my offer to post this evidence here remains.)
2. E-mails from Nikki2000 and Mandy Sweet
I then received two e-mails from a Nikki2000 and a Mandy Sweet. Both using yahoo e-mail addresses. Oddly enough, Nikki2000 and Mandy Sweet later confessed to me that they were actually the same person.
Like the lawyer, the request was the same—for Charlene’s comment (above) to be removed.
Nikki2000/Mandy Sweet’s e-mails to me were significantly more vehement than the lawyer’s. But perhaps this is because “lawyers” (even so-called ones) have no choice but to maintain a professional tone, and “regular folk” can just say what they want. But let’s not split straws here… there’s more.
Suspicious comments
You cannot always trust what you read online. People post online comments under different names all the time to influence any number of things. However, this was just too blatant for me to ignore.
On 17 April 2010, three comments were posted coming from the same I.P address and within the space of 10 minutes (see the screenshot below).
Using three different names, this person encouraged the conversation as if they were three different people. However, he/she carelessly used the same e-mail address (most likely out of laziness because e-mail addresses are not viewable to readers).
You can still read all the original comments as I’ve not removed them.
Fake comments from the same commenter.
Here are two more suspicious comments with the same e-mail addresses (again, probably out of laziness as these are not viewable to readers) and using two different names within the same day.
Two more suspicious comments.
I suspect there could be more of such fake comments. Read through them and you’ll start seeing a pattern for some in particular.
Unfortunately, with this update, this person (and others) will now know to mask their identities better.
Therefore, I ask you to please exercise caution and take ALL the comments posted to this article with a large grain of salt.
Stay smart. Stay safe.
Love,
Hessa
Thanks for this. What were the new and improved results? Is this an effective safe product? I know that Pure Perfect has a sister company called Fair & Flawless in the U.S., and some people complain of having the same skin irritations and some have good results. My guess is because of the large quantity of sepiwhite and AHA acids, perhaps? Is the new product improved and better now?
“Pure Perfect”
Thank you for your e-mail to Fair and Flawless, my name is Rachel and I represent Pure Perfect customer relations at Pure Perfect South Africa, we are very perturbed by your e-mail and would like to assure that the Fair and Flawless range is a fantastic range of products which work wonderfully and very successfully. We would like to clarify that the recent negative press has been due to threatened fraternities in South Africa , which has caused unnecessary hype toward the product, we are currently on course to rectify the issues which was caused by a small group of people who we perceive as threatened by this highly successful product.
Yours Sincerely
Rachel
Pure Perfect
I am a former Fair and Flawless user. After a month of using the product my face and neck started swelling up like a blowfish and my skin became blotchy. My skin still hasn’t recovered after a year. I believe this contains steroids if you know what is good for you don’t use it!
Charlene has recently been banned from a skincare forum for deceiving it’s Elite members and for supplying their e-mail addresses without permission to a low grade skin lightening operation in order to spam their e-mails in hopes for sales. I would not take what she says as truth as she has been found out to be a con artist who is willing to trick the innocent out of their hard earned cash to fill up her pockets without regards to others health.
Hi. Its been 4 months that i am using the new improved parfait and i see no difference except that my skin is damaged with this product. My skin has gone dark and i’m breaking out alot with huge mattery pimples and i was asked to continue using it and it will get better. I’m not happy with this product, what can i do to get my skin back to the way it was. Please help.
As I said in my response..about the facials, etc, and I feel that rooibos natural extracts products are the best. bioderma sunscreen spf100 is also gr8.
I also had terrible results with the old parfait. It worked like a dream for a while, and a few months later it completely destroyed my skin. I am still battling to bring my skin back to its original state. I decided to try the new improved parfait, hoping it will make a difference to my skin, but its seems fruitless. The new parfait does nothing to your skin at all. All their advertising stating they have this new improved parfait is so false. It does nothing at all. What is pure perfect trying to prove now. I read that they are launching another version of the parfait, at double the price of the new improved parfait. Is this all about making money, or are they really interested in helping people with their skin…..makes u wonder !
I am from Sorisha’s hometown, and I knew her to be a dark skinned girl. We used to think that she was one of the prettiest girls around. The complexion she is now is totally different to what she was and to be honest it looks so fake and plasticky. It’s like looking at Michael J all over again. If using this product lightens your skin to such an extent that going out in the sun and generally not breaking out into a sweat because of the task of re-applying it all the time; then lets face it…its not worth it. Just be you and be happy that all you have is dark skin…there are people out there who are worse off.
The best skin advice I know….home facials with steaming, cleansing, exfoliating and masks….i am asked if Im pregnant all the time…such is the glow…altho I am dark!
I used to do home steam facials and my skin turned out very smooth and clear and I was darker back then as well. All skin tones can benefit from steam facials!
I am naturally a very dark skinned black girl and I used the old parfait for almost two years with amazing results before it was discontinued. I used it night and day for about a month until I achieved my desired tone which was a goldenish yellow colour, like Karabo (Generations). Then I’d apply it occasionally once a day some days to maintain my beautiful colour. It was an amazing confidence boost and my skin was so smooth and natural looking. The new parfait, however started burning my skin and my color went darker. Almost like it was in the beginning. I stopped it and am waiting anxiously for the return of the old parfait. Pls, Pls, pls bring back the old parfait for those of us it worked for, And there are many of us. You can still work on a new product for those that the old parfait was too strong for, but for me and my friends and family, the old parfait was the answer to our lifetime prayers.
Coming Soon! The Original Pure Perfect Parfait
exclusive to Pure Perfect Only.
I think they are bringing it back!!
YES,the orignal PARFAIT is BACK.I have been usinging it for 2 weeks now and never been happier.Have seen Pure perfects SABS certification of no banned substances and have more confidence than ever.Comprehensive consultion has been done by Sue at the Pure Perfect Salon in Umhlanga and now I know the do’s and don’t's.
AHAs have been lowered in concentration so there is no more thinning of the skin. I have faith in their honesty
I have used the product ofr about two years, the old and new pure parfait, i followed the wonderful instructions and care tips given to me by Sue and i have’nt experienced any problems…
I too have used both Parfaits and have been under Sue’s guidance and have had no problems.I think it’s important to have a experienced therapist to guide you along.I am now going to go back on the original gel formulation.It’s just a matter of choice.This product is fab if used properly.Give credit where it’s due,it’s about time we show some gratitude……
Hi,
I used the pure perfect parfait, a while ago, but stopped because my skin was thinning. But, i simply loved the product, it worked magic. I would like to try the original parfait again, but i am a little scared. I live in gauteng, so its not possible for me to consult with sue in durban. For those of u who have tried the original parfait again, does it work like the old one, and did any of you get any side effects.
Please post comments on this site. Thanks.
Hey Guys, I purchased the original parfait from Pure Perfect Salon in Umhlanga, I have used it for 10 days, they told me the difference is lowered fruit acids to stop the thinning, and a little bit of moisture but everything else is the same, apparently this new formula is exclusive to Pure Perfect in South Africa, my skin feels alot smoother and whiter already as I really hated the other parfait they brought out, will keep you posted but the most I can tell you is that it feels alot nicer on my skin. I saw Sorisha in Gateway and she looked pale, not crazy about the blonde hair though, but very pale.
Was on the original parfait loved it, got really light, then used the creamy one they brought out and hated it, purchased the original a week ago and already seeing lightening…love it, hope they don’t take it away again, no wonder people went to the papers and got angry. I heard they are after Dr Dylan Naidoo and want to sue his ass for causing all the problems in the first place. Now that they have the SABS backing, they are being arrogant and expensive, but I need it!
Hey i also went to Dr Dylan naidu, he gave me this wonderful cream, but lately I am getting very dark when in the sun, I think he put hydroquinone in my cream without my knowledge, spoke to my friends and they said the same thing is happening to them, do you think I should go back onto the Parfait?
It is with great interest that I have been following all forums and blogs commenting on Pure Perfect, but I draw the line on this one when two mweb users purposely pose as Sue and Sorisha, the long and short of this whole mess has finally been put to rest and yet we tirelessly endure the same conversations over and over again. The story started 6 years ago when the Fair and Flawless product was imported into the country by our company Pure Perfect based in South Africa. We then discontinued the product after many years due to skin thinning, and launched a new product, this product did not work as effectively as the original and many people were angry and upset with the company, their skin reverted to their original colour and they made claims of skin being burnt, this caused dermatologists in Durban to test the product which led to an article in the Sunday Times Extra, in which the product was being probed for Hydroquinone, we have since had the past and present versions of the American product tested and come clear for the presence of hydroquinone. We are still awaiting the dermatologists results as well as the Sunday Times conclusion, which has been avoided since the probe almost two months ago.After contacting the US company we have come to an agreement to tweak the product, which means the fruit acid concentration has been lowered. We will not entertain any further comments on blogs and forums but welcome you to write to us at info@pureperfect.co.za if you require further information. Thank you to Hessa for creating these opportunities for many to share and comment.
Rachel
Pure Perfect
South Africa
Rachel, just to clarify something, NO COMMENTERS had posed as anyone called “Sue or Sorisha”.
It was only AFTER I did my digging that those e-mail addresses (with those names) were revealed. They would have normally stayed hidden on this website.
I feel this is an important point and to claim anything else would be misleading to readers.
p.s: Thank you for stopping by and your kind words.
hey everyone I just came across this and was wondering if any of you had any more information on pure perfect and their new formula? I wish they hadn’t changed the formula since it opbviously worked for the actress, maybe they could have simply added a warning label saying if abused it could cause acne breakouts and other unpleasentries.
I would like to use the same regimen as sorisha but hopefully I won’t look as bleached out.
Hello, I was using the old parfait, just 1 tub and it softened my scarring- I am yellow/olive in complexion and seriously do not want to get bleached out like MJ or sorisha(looks scary), I hyperpigment when I scar, so I need to lighten/soften those marks. However, I did try the new parfait and I broke out in MULTIPLE pimples, now because I scar so badly, I really had dark marks all over my face. I want to know how on earth does a cream have such a reaction, surely sorisha tried these creams first before selling it to the public, why didnt she mention the side effects. I bought both creams from a beauty salon, I was told to keep using the new formula and it will get better. Ive offically stopped. I refuse to buy the parfait again, its way too costly and has long term negative effects(i.e what happens if you stop using it ;-( My advice, if a company does not have a guarantee to back their product up-there is an unknown lurking in the woodworks.
I am using pure perfect paifait since 2007 nd from last year I started using the lgluthtion pills I am medium complexion I just want to know how come I have not reached the dramatic results that sorisha naidoo has I even use the leanser and toner I want that white look that she has
i have just on a site looking for a good dermatologist and thought i found one – dermatology and skin care which is in manning rd, durban , is this the same guy mentioned with regards to this product…i am fair skinned and have a skin tone problem with old acne scars on my face and i definitely wouldnt want him to suggest this product to me … straight out the pot into the fire !!!
let me know please !!