FDA Warns Consumers of Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone
Report Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
FDA advises consumers not to use over-the-counter (OTC) skin lightening products due to high levels of mercury and/or hydroquinone. The agency also recommends consumers talk to their doctor about treatment options for certain skin conditions including aged or dark spots. There are no FDA-approved or legally marketed OTC skin lightening products.
Since 2019, FDA laboratory testing has found certain skin lightening products contain high levels of mercury. Applying them to your skin repeatedly can allow mercury to be absorbed into your bloodstream, potentially causing serious and potentially permanent health problems. Some health risks include:
- kidney damage such build-up of protein in the kidney caused by toxins, drugs or chemicals, potentially leading to rapid kidney failure
- neurological damage such as tremors, tingling or numbness, headaches, fatigue and mood or cognitive disturbances and direct skin injury from repeated use of these products
The longer and more frequently these products are used, the greater the risk of harm. Certain groups, including children and pregnant individuals, face heightened risks and should avoid exposure to these products.
FDA laboratory testing also found hydroquinone, a skin-lightening substance, in some of these products. FDA has received reports of serious skin problems from people using skin-lightening products that contain hydroquinone. These problems include skin rashes, swelling of the face and discoloration of the skin which may be permanent (a condition called ochronosis).
FDA does not allow mercury in drugs or in cosmetics, except under very specific conditions – conditions that these products do not meet. OTC skin lightening products containing hydroquinone have not been approved by FDA for safety or effectiveness.
Most of these skin lightening products are marketed as topical products such as creams but some also may be injectable products.
The table below is a list of skin lightening products tested by FDA laboratories and found to contain mercury and/or hydroquinone.
If you have questions, call your health care professional or the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222, which is available 24 hours a day.
Skin-lightening Products Tested by FDA
| Product Name and Seller | Country of Origin | Year Tested | Lab Results - Mercury Content (parts per million) | Lab Results - Hydroquinone Content (%) | Recall Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deluxe Silken Bleaching Cream, eBay 
| Jamaica | 2026 | 19,027 | n/a |
|
La Crema De Rebeca, eBay 
| Unknown | 2026 | 17,578 | n/a |
|
La Crema De Rebeca, Lacremaderebeca.com 
| Unknown | 2026 | 17,374 | n/a |
|
Jhalak® Hand & Foot Beauty Cream, eBay 
| Pakistan | 2026 | 17,827 | n/a |
|
Orbi 20® Whitening Cream, eBay 
| Pakistan | 2026 | 27,762 | n/a |
|
Omni® GOLD Anti-Marks Cream Extra Brightening, eBay 
| Pakistan | 2026 | 12,227 | n/a |
|
Dr. Yanhee Cream Set (Blue), eBay 
| Thailand | 2026 | 10,668 | n/a |
|
Dr. Yanhee Cream Set (Green), Luessentials.store 
| Thailand | 2026 | 12,295 | n/a |
|
CCM Special Cream Turmeric, Oylaostore.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 8,088 | n/a |
|
CCM Perfect 365 White Cream, Oylaostore.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 4,322 | n/a |
|
Be Be Special Cream CCM/Yellow, Oylaostore.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 8,909 | n/a |
|
Be Be Special Cream, Productoslarosa.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 3,110 | n/a |
|
La Tia Mana Crema Limpiadora y Curativa, Walmart.com 
| Mexico | 2022 | 5,432 | n/a |
|
Ling Zhi BB Whitening Cream, Baotrambeauty.com 
| Japan | 2022 | 1,393 | n/a |
|
Skin care & Cosmetic MSII Whitening Peeling, Baotrambeauty.com 
| France | 2022 | 1,581 | n/a |
|
Skin care & Cosmetic MSII Express Peeling, Baotrambeauty.com 
| France | 2022 | 5,797 | n/a |
|
Collagen Plus - Vit E Cream, Night Cream, Etsy.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 3,670 | 2.0% |
|
Aneeza Gold Beauty Face Cream, Ladybeebe.com 
| Pakistan | 2022 | 12,400 | n/a |
|
HIYADY Glutatione Cream White & Bright, Amazon.com 
| Unknown | 2022 | 15,900 | n/a |
|
Light & Natural CAROTONE Black Spot Corrector CREME B.S.C, Orderbeautysupply.com 
| Côte d'Ivoire | 2022 | n/a | 4.4% |
|
African Queen Strong Bleaching Treatment, Houseofbeautyworld.com 
| United States | 2022 | n/a | 3.6% |
|
Amos Make Me White in 7 Days, Ladybeebe.com 
| United States | 2022 | n/a | 1.2% |
|
B.B. Clear Dark Spot Remover Cream, Ladybeebe.com 
| Togo | 2022 | n/a | 4.4% |
|
Kim Whitening Pearl and Snowlotus Cream, Amazon.com 
| Unknown | 2019 | 47 | n/a |
|
Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, eBay 
| Unknown | 2019 | 12,000 | n/a |
|
Chandni Whitening Cream, eBay 
| Pakistan | 2019 | 8,790 | n/a |
|
Goree Beauty Cream, eBay 
| Unknown | 2019 | 17,200 | n/a |
|
Sandal Whitening Beauty Cream, eBay 
| Pakistan | 2019 | 13,100 | n/a |
|
Monespa Express Peeling, Tnahouse.com 
| Unknown | 2019 | 5,030 | n/a |
|
Face Fresh Beauty Cream, facefresh.com 
| Unknown | 2019 | 18,500 | n/a |
|