Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Health Fraud Scams

Health Fraud Scams

                        El Fraude en la Salud Home
          For Consumers
          Health Fraud Scams
          Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or HydroquinoneHealth Fraud Scams Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintIn the past few years, FDA and state health officials have discovered numerous products marketed as skin lighteners that contain ingredients like mercury and/or hydroquinone. FDA does not allow mercury in drugs or in cosmetics, except under very specific conditions where there are no other safe and effective preservatives available –conditions that these products do not meet.  Over-the-counter (OTC) skin lightening products containing the active drug ingredient hydroquinoneare unapproved drugs and are not generally recognized as safe and effective (not GRASE). Skin lightening products are generally marketed to be applied topically but may also be injected.

Often, mercury or hydroquinone is not declared on the product label. There have been cases in which people exposed to such products have had mercury poisoning or elevated levels of mercury in their bodies. Additionally, FDA has received reports of serious side effects including skin rashes, facial swelling, and ochronosis (discoloration of skin) from the use of skin lightening products containing hydroquinone.

The table below provides the mercury and/or hydroquinone content of skin lighteners tested by FDA laboratories. Consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products. If you have questions, call your health care professional or the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222; it is open 24 hours a day.

For More Information and to Report a Problem
	Skin Facts! Resources
	Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products
	FDA works to protect consumers from potentially harmful OTC skin lightening products
	Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
	MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
	Dial 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) or call the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for your state or region

Skin Products Found to Contain Mercury and/or Hydroquinone
	Product Name and Image
			Year Tested
			Country of Origin
			Lab Results - Mercury Content (parts per million)
			Lab Results - Hydroquinone Content (%)CCM Special Cream Turmeric
			2022
			
			8,088 ppmCCM Perfect 365 White Cream
			2022
			
			4,322 ppmBe Be Special Cream CCM/Yellow
			2022
			
			8,909 ppmBe Be Special Cream
			2022
			
			3,110 ppmLa Tia Mana Crema Limpiadora y Curativa
			2022
			Mexico
			5,432 ppmLing Zhi BB Whitening Cream
			2022
			Japan
			1,393 ppmSkin care & Cosmetic MSII Whitening Peeling
			2022
			France
			1,581 ppmSkin care & Cosmetic MSII Express Peeling
			2022
			France
			5,797 ppmCollagen Plus - Vit E Cream, Night Cream
			2022
			
			3,670 ppm
			2.0%Aneeza Gold Beauty Face Cream
			2022
			Pakistan
			12,400 ppmHIYADY Glutatione Cream White & Bright
			2022
			
			15,900 ppmLight & Natural CAROTONE Black Spot Corrector CREME B.S.C
			2022
			Côte d'Ivoire
			--
			4.4%African Queen Strong Bleaching Treatment
			2022
			United States
			--
			3.6%Amos Make Me White in 7 Days
			2022
			United States
			--
			1.2%B.B. Clear Dark Spot Remover Cream
			2022
			Togo
			--
			4.4%Kim Whitening Pearl and Snowlotus Cream
			2019
			
			47 ppmGolden Pearl Beauty Cream
			2019
			
			12,000 ppmChandni Whitening Cream
			2019
			Pakistan
			8,790 ppmGoree Beauty Cream
			2019
			
			17,200 ppmSandal Whitening Beauty Cream
			2019
			Pakistan
			13,100 ppmMonespa Express Peeling
			2019
			
			5,030 ppmFace Fresh Beauty Cream
			2019
			
			18,500 ppm

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      02/02/2023Health Fraud Scams

          
                        El Fraude en la Salud
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop