The Consumer Council on Monday said table-top water dispensers available in the market on which it carried out tests pumped out hot water at uneven temperatures, with the differences in the case of one model ranging to more than 10 degrees Celsius.

The watchdog worked with the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department in carrying out tests on eight models, which had maximum capacities of between 2.5 and six litres.

Its sustainability, public affairs and education committee vice chair, Kenneth Chan, said the average maximum temperature of the water dispensed was measured in two tests to which each of the models were subjected to.

Temperatures of water in the first cups were lower than those in three subsequent cups in each of the tests.

And for three models, the temperatures of the three cups too didn't meet what was stated for the dispensers.

"Some models were measured with uneven water temperatures at the outlet during consecutive dispensing," Chan said.

"With the maximum outlet temperature difference of one model being 10.3 degrees Celsius and that of two others exceeding five degrees, [the tests indicated] uneven performance."

Chan said uneven temperatures might affect preparations for food and beverages such as coffee and instant noodles.

The consumer watchdog also tested 25 models of exfoliating face wash available in the market and found that three of them could cause skin irritation.

That's because their acidity levels, or pH values, were between 2.6 and 2.7, lower than the standard of 3.5 set on the mainland.

Three models also tested positive for traces of the potentially carcinogenic material, 1,4-dioxane, with the level for one of them exceeding European standards.

The council stressed all face washes should be rinsed off quickly, giving them minimal time to be absorbed.