The Guardian - A Chinese cosmetics company is using skin harvested from the corpses of executed convicts to develop beauty products for sale in Europe, an investigation by the Guardian has discovered.

Agents for the firm have told would-be customers it is developing collagen for lip and wrinkle treatments from skin taken from prisoners after they have been shot. The agents say some of the company's products have been exported to the UK, and that the use of skin from condemned convicts is "traditional" and nothing to "make such a big fuss about".

With European regulations to control cosmetic treatments such as collagen not expected for several years, doctors and politicians say the discovery highlights the dangers faced by the increasing number of Britons seeking to improve their looks. Apart from the ethical concerns, there is also the potential risk of infection.

I can't get the pictue of snooty liberal European broads slathering on wrinkle cream made from the skin of executed Chinese political dissenters.

*shudder*

Anyway, according to the article some of these products may have found their way into the U.S. as well, so I've you've got a bottle of skin cream that's "Made in China" you might want to think twice about using it.

I'm off to check the medicine cabinet now.

(via Q and O)