Whitening creams with mercury, banned substances still sold online

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercury-laced cosmetics and other products containing harmful chemicals are still being openly sold online, despite repeated warnings and bans by health authorities.
These items, Utusan Malaysia reported, often marketed as whitening creams, moisturisers and facial cleansers—contain banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury, tretinoin, and even prescription drugs like dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine, and sibutramine, which can damage internal organs and the nervous system.
The report added that many of the products have had their approval withdrawn by the Health Ministry but remain available on e-commerce platforms and social media.
Listings often omit valid Health Ministry notification numbers and use fake testimonials to attract buyers—particularly young women. Some continue receiving customer reviews even after being blacklisted.
Checks by Utusan Malaysia found that several products contained dangerous scheduled poisons that can harm the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands and brain.
The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) confirmed these products have been delisted, making their sale and distribution illegal under Malaysian law.
From 2018 to early 2023, the Health Ministry seized over RM3.84 million worth of unauthorised health and beauty products.
In 2024 alone, 12 cosmetics containing scheduled poisons were banned.
An industry source said many of these products are imported in bulk from Thailand and China before being repackaged and sold locally.
"These products come in grades A to D. Most sellers choose Grade C because it's cheap and allows mass production. With just RM1,500, they can produce 5,000 bottles," the source said.
Despite low production costs, these products are often sold at high prices—sometimes hundreds of ringgit per bottle—yielding large profits while endangering consumers.
Adibah Aliah, 21, said her skin was severely damaged after using a whitening product containing mercury.
"My skin became white and smooth in a week, but after a few months, it turned sensitive, broke out, and started peeling," she said.
"I now need regular dermatology treatment costing hundreds of ringgit a month. I'm too scared to use anything without expert advice."
Pharmacist Nurul Nabilah Hussain warned that mercury and tretinoin can cause lasting harm.
"Mercury can enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys and brain. Long-term use may cause numbness and mental health problems. In pregnant women, it can affect foetal development," she said.
She urged stricter enforcement and better monitoring of online platforms.
"Authorities must ramp up enforcement and improve online surveillance," she said, adding that consumers should always verify product safety on the NPRA website.
"Avoid any product that lacks clear safety information," she said.