Cosmetics industry backs campaign vs mercury-laced skin lighteners

Industry leaders, government representatives, and stakeholders gather for the launch of initiatives supporting safer cosmetic products and consumer protection

For many consumers, a whitening cream promises lighter skin and quick results. However, health experts say some products sold online and in informal markets may contain mercury, a toxic substance linked to damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and other organs.

The Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines is backing a global campaign to eliminate mercury-added skin-lightening products, as banned and unregistered cosmetics continue to reach consumers through physical stores and online platforms.

At a health forum attended by representatives from industry, academe, government, and advocacy groups, CCIP said mercury in cosmetics remains a public health concern despite existing regulations.

The campaign supports the United Nations Environment Programme and Global Environment Facility project on eliminating mercury-added skin-lightening products in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Representatives from industry, government, and partner organizations join efforts to support campaigns promoting safe, science-based, and responsible skincare practices

“Beauty products should enhance well-being, never compromise it,” CCIP president Janina Gutierrez-Tan said.

Gutierrez-Tan also discussed the Minamata disease tragedy in Japan, where industrial mercury pollution poisoned seafood and affected thousands of residents. She said the case showed the need for environmental regulation, public health protection, and corporate responsibility.

Mercury is prohibited in cosmetic formulations. Under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, the limit is 1 part per million, but speakers at the forum stressed that this should not be treated as a safe level.

Dr. Jemmy Pizapas-Coates said mercury can be added to skin-lightening products because it blocks melanin production, giving users a temporary whitening effect.

“The whitening effect of mercury is not permanent. It’s temporary. But the other effects, the neurotoxic effects, the nerve damage, the damage to your muscles, and other systemic effects, how it affects your kidney, your liver, those can be permanent,” he said.

Raymond Jacintas O’Donnell of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute presented findings on online skin-lightening products from selected Asian countries. He said 58.2 percent of the samples exceeded the 1 ppm limit, with mercury levels ranging from 1.8 ppm to 144,893 ppm.

Speaking from a consumer safety perspective, Department of Pharmacy program head Vina Rose Dahilig shared that mercury contamination may appear in unregistered and counterfeit products. She urged consumers to check FDA registration, examine ingredient lists, and question unrealistic claims.

She added that many consumers are drawn to products that promise fast and cheap whitening results, while online sellers and incomplete labels make monitoring harder.

The forum also cited FDA advisories against mercury-contaminated cosmetics, including skin-lightening creams and other beauty products. CCIP said the problem is not limited to users, as mercury can contaminate homes and later enter waterways and ecosystems through improper disposal.

Participants discuss strategies to address mercury-added skin-lightening products and strengthen consumer awareness during a cosmetics industry forum

CCIP said it will pursue education efforts, regulatory updates, and industry awareness programs beginning in 2026. The group also plans to engage manufacturers, distributors, retailers, students, and policymakers.

Gutierrez-Tan said consumer trust depends on responsible practices.

“By supporting the elimination of mercury-added products and championing science-based, responsible skincare, we are helping build a stronger, safer, and more globally competitive Philippine cosmetics industry,” she said.