Beware: Thailand-Made Facial Cream with Mercury Banned in Brunei, Sold in the Philippines

Unauthorized Arche Pearl Cream sold online. 

25 September 2025, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition urged consumers to stay away from a Thailand-made facial cream that the Brunei’s Ministry of Health (MoH) banned after finding it adulterated with mercury.

Based on laboratory tests conducted by the Pharmacy Section of the MoH’s Department of Scientific Services, Arche Pearl Cream was found contaminated with mercury, a prohibited ingredient in cosmetics such as skin lightening products as per the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

“We urge consumers to shun this imported product that has been flagged by government regulators, most recently by Brunei, for containing mercury. It is often sold online,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “Mercury exposure can result in skin discoloration, rashes and scarring, cause damage to the kidneys and the nervous system, and is extremely toxic to children and babies in the womb.”

The MoH advised those who have used the said product “to stop using it immediately,” noting that it has not issued any approval for its importation and sale in violation of the 2007 Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations, an offense punishable with a fine not exceeding 5,000 Brunei dollars (approximately 225,000 Philippine pesos), imprisonment of not over two years or both.

Five years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines also advised consumers not to buy and use Arche Pearl Cream, which is being sold without a valid certificate of product notification in violation of Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act of 2009.

According to FDA Advisory 2020-631, “the use of such a violative product may pose health risks to consumers,” adding “potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals.”Alos, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) tested and included Arche Pearl Cream in the list of “Skin Lightening Products Found to Contain Mercury, Hydroquinone and/or Steroids.” The list was last updated in 2021.

The EcoWaste Coalition urges consumers to steer clear of unauthorized cosmetics, which may contain heavy metals like mercury.

To stop its further circulation in the market, the EcoWaste Coalition asked the management of online shopping sites to take down product listings for Arche Pearl Cream, and for the FDA, as well as customs and trade regulators, to go after the errant importers, distributors and sellers.

References:

https://borneobulletin.com.bn/moh-issues-warning-on-cosmetic-product-containing-mercury/
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FDA-Advisory-No.2020-631.pdf
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/skin/docs/testedprds.pdf (page 13)