SHANGHAI - Procter & Gamble Co. will start reintroducing its SK-II skincare line into Chinese stores early next month after suspending sales for more than two months because authorities raised concerns about its safety.

SK-II facial products are displayed at a department store in Shanghai. [newsphoto]

SK-II sales will resume in a limited number of department stores in major cities, and the company will offer a counseling service with the products as it works to regain the trust of customers, the US consumer products giant said on Wednesday.

The firm halted sales of SK-II, previously one of its biggest cosmetics lines in China, and offered refunds to buyers after Beijing's product quality watchdog said it had detected chromium and neodymium in some products, prompting a storm of negative comment in the local press.

Chinese regulators subsequently stated the products were safe to use, and P&G announced in late October that it would resume Chinese sales of SK-II "within weeks".

SK-II sales were also suspended in South Korea for about two weeks but resumed there after the country's Food and Drug Administration said the products were safe.

SK-II is sold in 14 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia.

Procter & Gamble, headquartered in Cincinnati, develops, manufactures and markets consumer products and pharmaceuticals.