EcoWaste Coalition Detects Toxic Mercury in Thai-Made Whitening Cream Sold Online
28 November 2024, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition today announced it has detected mercury, a forbidden chemical in cosmetics, in one unauthorized skin lightening product from Thailand sold by a local online seller in clear violation of product safety laws.
In test buys conducted this week, the group purchased from local online dealers three types of skin cosmetics bearing the brand name “Q-nic Care.” All three items lack proper market authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and would be illegal to distribute and sell.
Using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the group examined the samples for mercury, a highly toxic chemical prohibited in cosmetic product formulations. Under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD), mercury as a heavy metal contaminant cannot exceed one part per million (ppm).
One sample, Q-nic Care Whitening Night Cream (black and gold box; no lot number), was found to contain 4,113 ppm of mercury, exceeding the 1 ppm limit. The product was manufactured on September 15, 2023, way past the original 2020 global phase-out deadline for mercury-added cosmetics under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The product claims that it contains snow lotus, alpha arbutin, ginseng, collagen, glutathione and other ingredients that can help to decrease melanin pigment, firm up pores, smoothen, moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, and “can make a miracle like brighten and clear the skin within one week.”
Mercury was not detected on the two other samples, namely Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream (white and pink box; lot number 0015) and Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream Extra (white and purple box; lot number 0001).
However, while mercury was not detected on the Q-nic Whitening Underarm Cream (white and pink box) bought and analyzed by the EcoWaste Coalition, a similar product tested by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) with lot number 0005 was found to contain potent ingredients, including mercury.
According to HSA Alert published on October 25, 2024, “HSA’s test revealed that the cream contained potent ingredients, including very high levels of mercury, a potent steroid (betamethasone valerate) and a preservative (triclosan) that is not allowed in cosmetic skin creams.”
As stated by the HSA, “mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products. It may cause rashes, skin irritation and blotchiness, and can be absorbed through the skin causing numbness, dizziness and headaches.”
“Long term use of mercury-containing products can also cause toxic effects to the kidneys, digestive and nervous systems, leading to organ damage,” it further warned.
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To protect consumers from being exposed to mercury and other chemicals not permitted in cosmetic products, the EcoWaste Coalition reminded consumers to observe the following safety reminders:
-- Consult a doctor if you are using mercury-added skin lightening products.
-- Exercise caution when purchasing cosmetics online or offline, and beware of unauthorized, counterfeit and adulterated products being offered for sale.
-- Be wary of products making over-the-top claims such as immediate and miraculous results, no side effects, and 100% safe.
For the health of the people and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition reiterated its call for the strict enforcement of the ban on mercury-added products like skin lightening cosmetics. It also repeated its proposal for the FDA to convene a solution-focused multi-stakeholder summit to address the persistent problem with mercury cosmetics in the country.
Finally, the group urged those aspiring for a lighter skin tone to embrace the color we are born with, stressing "natural is beautiful."
Reference:
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/
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