EcoWaste Coalition Echoes US FDA Warnings on Unsafe Skin Lightening Products with Mercury and/or Hydroquinone

The EcoWaste Coalition pushes for the strict enforcement of the global ban on the production and trade of mercury-added cosmetics.

9 June 2026, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition reiterated the warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against skin lightening products containing high levels of mercury and/or hydroquinone.

"We urge anyone using mercury-tainted skin whiteners to immediately heed health warnings, stop application, and seek medical advice," said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “We also call on the public to shun colorism and the pressure to alter their complexion, reminding everyone that all skin tones are beautiful."

The US FDA warned consumers on June 1 not to use skin lightening products with mercury and/or hydroquinone. The agency also published a list of 30 unsafe products after testing them in its laboratories.

Among the 30 products in the US FDA list are nine facial creams, which were also among those purchased and verified by the EcoWaste Coalition as contaminated with mercury as part of its ongoing monitoring of skin lightening products with mercury content.

Based on tests conducted by US FDA laboratories, the following nine products contained high levels of mercury: Face Fresh Beauty Cream (18,500 ppm), Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene (17,200 ppm), Sandal Beauty Cream (13,100 ppm), Aneeza Gold Beauty Cream (12,400 ppm), Dr. Yanhee, Cream Set, green (12,295 ppm), Golden Pearl Beauty Cream (12,000 ppm), Dr. Yanhee Cream Set, blue (10,668 ppm), Chandni Whitening Cream (8,790 ppm), and Collagen Plus Vit E Day & Night Cream (3,670 ppm).

The US FDA warns the public from consuming 30 unsafe skin care products, including these nine mercury-laced products from Pakistan, Thailand,  and Indonesia.

Tests carried out by the EcoWaste Coalition, or by its Korean NGO partner (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health), also found these nine products tainted with high levels of mercury: Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene (58,400 ppm), Chandi Whitening Cream (35,200 ppm), Face Fresh Beauty Cream (20,510 ppm), Aneeza Gold Beauty Cream (20,000 ppm), Dr. Yanhee Cream Set, green (19,000 ppm), Sandal Beauty Cream (13,900 ppm), Golden Pearl Beauty Cream (10,700 ppm), Dr. Yanhee Cream Set, blue (8,600 ppm), and Collagen Plus Vit E Day & Night Cream (4,646 ppm),

The Philippine FDA has issued public health warnings against eight of the above products due to a lack of market authorization and/or mercury adulteration.

The US FDA warned that “applying them to your skin repeatedly can allow mercury to be absorbed into your bloodstream, potentially causing serious and potentially permanent health problems.”

Some health risks, according to the US FDA, include: 

• kidney damage, such as the build-up of protein in the kidney caused by toxins, drugs, or chemicals, potentially leading to rapid kidney failure, and 
• neurological damage such as tremors, tingling or numbness, headaches, fatigue, and mood or cognitive disturbances, and direct skin injury from repeated use of these products.

“The longer and more frequently these products are used, the greater the risk of harm,” the US FDA said, stressing “certain groups, including children and pregnant individuals, face heightened risks and should avoid exposure to these products.”

As for hydroquinone, the US FDA said it “received reports of serious skin problems from people using skin-lightening products that contain hydroquinone,” including “skin rashes, swelling of the face and discoloration of the skin which may be permanent (a condition called ochronosis).”

The US FDA warned consumers not to buy or use skin products with hydroquinone without a prescription from a licensed health provider. Consumers were also advised to stay away from skin products containing mercury because it is dangerous and banned.

References:

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/fda-warns-consumers-skin-products-containing-mercury-andor-hydroquinone
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/skin-facts-what-you-need-know-about-skin-lightening-products