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:

        Minority Health and Health Equity

Skin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening Products

                        
                About Skin Facts!
          Skin Facts! Resources
          Partner Toolkit
          Reagan-Udall Foundation Skin Lightening Products Listening Sessions Summary Home
          For Consumers
          Minority Health and Health Equity
          Skin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening ProductsMinority Health and Health Equity Skin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening Products
  	
        Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintImage
              cream jarThe FDA’s Skin Facts! Initiative alerts consumers of potentially harmful over-the-counter (OTC) skin products containing hydroquinone or mercury. These products are sometimes called skin lightening products and are not FDA approved for over-the-counter sale.

OMHHE created the Skin Facts! Initiative, which includes educational materials and other communications, to help consumers understand the potential risks of using these products and to help identify whether the skin products they purchase contain these harmful ingredients.

**New! Learn about newly identified illegal skin lightening products.**




Sub-Topic Paragraphs
          Skin Facts! Alertcream jar

                    New! Illegal Skin Products Identified
          
          Skin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening Products

                    See the FDA Alert on Skin Products
          Resources for youAbout Skin Facts!Initiative ResourcesPartner ToolkitListening Sessions Summary
          Minority Health and Health EquityCollage of diverse group of people.

                    Minority Health and Health Equity
          
          Woman and man watching a CDRH Learn module on their computer

                    Health Education Resources
    
          OMHHE RC Web Page Image

                    Research and Collaboration
    
          hands typing on a computer keyboard

                    Outreach and Communication
          Follow us on Social MediaTwitter
            @FDAHealthEquityYouTube
            Minority Health PlaylistPinterest
            Minority Health and Health EquityFacebook
            U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFDA on Social Media
            Stay informed and connected with FDA through video, Facebook, Twitter, email alerts, and more
          Paragraph Header
              Contact Us
        
      
  Contact Point
              healthequity@fda.hhs.gov
      
	
	
		
	Hours Available

	
		Office of Minority Health and Health Equity

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      12/21/2022
                  
                   
Topic(s)
			  Consumer HealthHealth Topic(s)
			  Skin
			    			       			    			       Skin Care
			       			    			       Skin ConditionsSkin Facts! What You Need to Know About Skin Lightening Products                
                          

                        About Skin Facts!
          Skin Facts! Resources
          Partner Toolkit
          Reagan-Udall Foundation Skin Lightening Products Listening Sessions Summary
 Subscribe to the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity email updates
                          Get regular FDA email updates delivered on this topic to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 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