SKIN PRODUCT SAFETY: 

HYDROQUINONE

Skin lightening products containing the ingredient hydroquinone may cause harm.

STAY SAFE!

Only use skin products containing hydroquinone when 

prescribed by a licensed health care provider. 

Before purchasing or using nonprescription skin products, 

check the product label for hydroquinone. 

Correct uneven skin tone 

Remove dark spots, blemishes, and 

wrinkles

Get the Skin Facts! by visiting www.fda.gov/SkinFacts.

Hydroquinone is an active ingredient 

in skin lightening products used to:

Skin discoloration (ochronosis) that 

may be permanent

Rashes

Facial swelling

Serious side effects from the use of 

these products have been reported:

Did You 

KNOW?

Skin lightening products with hydroquinone

are NOT FDA-approved for over-the-counter sale

in the U.S.
SKIN PRODUCT SAFETY: 

MERCURY

Skin lightening products containing the ingredient mercury may cause harm. 

Get the Skin Facts! by visiting www.fda.gov/SkinFacts.

Did You 

KNOW?

The FDA has banned the use of mercury

in skin lightening products. 

Using a skin product with mercury

may cause serious health problems, 

such as:

Damage to the eyes, lungs, and kidneys

Damage to the digestive, immune, and 

nervous systems

Skin rashes and infections

Brown-gray skin discoloration

Ingredients: Linalool,

Aqua, Glycerin, Parfum,

Isomethyl Ionone,

Calomel, Xanthan,

Hydrogenated Veg Oil.

Mercury poisoning can also result in coma 

and even death.

DO NOT USE or PURCHASE

products with these ingredients.

Check product ingredient labels for 

terms identifying mercury:

Mercurous chloride

Calomel

Mercuric

Mercurio

Hg

Call Poison Control at 

1-(800)-222-1222 and 

contact your health care 

provider immediately.

Thoroughly wash your hands 

and other parts of your body 

that have been in contact 

with mercury.

Dispose of skin products 

with mercury at your local 

hazardous waste center.

If you or anyone in your family has been exposed to mercury:

Ingredients: Linalool, 

Aqua, Glycerin, Parfum, 

Isomethyl Ionone, 

Calomel, Xanthan,

Hydrogenated Veg Oil.

Ingredients: Lina

Aqua, Glycerin, Pa

Isomethyl Ionone, 

Calomel, Xanthan

Hydrogenated Ve
Be sure to avoid products with no labels, handmade labels, or labels not written in English.

SKIN PRODUCT SAFETY: 

IDENTIFYING UNSAFE PRODUCTS

Skin lightening products containing the ingredients hydroquinone or mercury may cause 

harm. The over-the-counter sale of these products is illegal in the U.S. Read skin product 

labels to identify ingredients before purchasing.

Get the Skin Facts! by visiting www.fda.gov/SkinFacts.

Skin brightening soap

Skin evening lotion

Skin whitening powder

Spot correcting cream

Chemical peel

BEWARE

The FDA has received reports of serious side effects

from the use of cosmetic and nonprescription

(over-the-counter) skin products containing 

hydroquinone or mercury. The sale of these 

products is illegal in the U.S.

IDENTIFY

Skin lightening products may be identified with 

descriptions like: 

CHECK

Before purchasing or using a skin lightening 

product, check the label to see if it contains 

hydroquinone or mercury.

Mercury may also be listed as: 

To treat skin conditions such as: 

Melasma

Freckles

Acne

Wrinkles

Mercurous chloride

Calomel

Mercuric

Mercurio

Hg

The FDA advises against the use of these products and 

encourages consumers to consult with a health care provider 

about treatment options.