BEIJING, Nov 18, 2007 (AFP) - China has blacklisted 10 types of cosmetics, including beauty products that contain a substance also used to treat ear infections in dogs, state media said Sunday, November 18th.

Lotions and masks, produced by two companies in south China's Guangdong province, contain substances such as dexamethasone, Xinhua said. One of the uses of dexamethasone is against canine ear infections.

The chemical, described by Xinhua as "skin opium," may initially make the skin seem improved but after long-term use it will turn "atrophic, thin and dark," it said.

The safety of products made in China has become a major global issue in recent months after several high-profile recalls of everything from pet food to toys.

China's domestic consumers have long suffered under a system where enterprises have often cut corners on safety issue, believing they can get away with it because of lax supervision.