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THURSDAY, Sept. 1, 2022 -- Skin whitening products can be dangerous for consumers when they contain harmful ingredients that are illegal for over-the-counter sales, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.
The potentially harmful ingredients are hydroquinone or mercury, the agency said in a news release.
People who have used products with hydroquinone have suffered side effects that included rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration, the FDA warned. Meanwhile, mercury is highly toxic and can damage the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Companies may describe skin whitening products as skin bleaching, fading or whitening products. The products are often sold as creams, lotions, soaps or powders in shops that cater to brown or black people.
These products limit the skin's production of melanin, responsible for skin, hair and eye color. But hydroquinone and mercury can build up in the body over time.
Skin whitening products containing hydroquinone are not approved for over-the-counter sale, the FDA said. "However, you can get a prescription skin product containing hydroquinone from your health care provider." The use of mercury in skin whitening products is banned.
Consumers should check product labels and avoid those containing hydroquinone or mercury. Mercury may be listed as mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio or Hg. Illegal products may be inaccurately labeled. Avoid products with handmade labels, labels in languages other than English, or no label at all, the FDA said.
www.webmd.com
The potentially harmful ingredients are hydroquinone or mercury, the agency said in a news release.
People who have used products with hydroquinone have suffered side effects that included rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration, the FDA warned. Meanwhile, mercury is highly toxic and can damage the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Companies may describe skin whitening products as skin bleaching, fading or whitening products. The products are often sold as creams, lotions, soaps or powders in shops that cater to brown or black people.
These products limit the skin's production of melanin, responsible for skin, hair and eye color. But hydroquinone and mercury can build up in the body over time.
Skin whitening products containing hydroquinone are not approved for over-the-counter sale, the FDA said. "However, you can get a prescription skin product containing hydroquinone from your health care provider." The use of mercury in skin whitening products is banned.
Consumers should check product labels and avoid those containing hydroquinone or mercury. Mercury may be listed as mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio or Hg. Illegal products may be inaccurately labeled. Avoid products with handmade labels, labels in languages other than English, or no label at all, the FDA said.
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Looking for skin, makeup, hair, or nail care tips? Considering cosmetic or anti-aging procedures? Find the latest beauty information here.
www.webmd.com
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