SINGAPORE – A whitening cream has been seized by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) after receiving a report from a woman who experienced its “immediate and effective” results and suspected it contained potent ingredients.
Upon the authority’s investigations, Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream was found to contain “very high” levels of mercury, a potent steroid and preservative prohibited in cosmetic creams, HSA said on Oct 25.
HSA has seized all quantities of the product sold by a shop called Beauty & Bath at Lucky Plaza.
It was also sold on popular local e-commerce platforms Carousell, Shopee and Lazada, and the listings for the product have since been removed. Two sellers are assisting with investigations, HSA said.
The cream was touted as safe, natural, non-toxic and harmless to skin. It was also claimed the product can counter body odour as well as whiten and smoothen skin.
Mercury, a toxic heavy metal, is prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products. It can cause rashes, skin irritation and blotchiness.
Mercury absorbed through the skin can also cause numbness, dizziness and headaches. Long-term use can be toxic to the kidneys, digestive and nervous systems, leading to organ damage, HSA added.
By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.
The cream also contained the steroid betamethasone valerate, usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions. Long-term unsupervised use of the steroid can cause hypersensitivity reactions, thinning of the skin and steroid withdrawal syndrome.
It may also be absorbed into the body and cause “moon face”, which is also known as Cushing’s syndrome; as well as high blood pressure, cataracts and muscular and bone disorders.
The preservative triclosan, banned in cosmetic skin creams, was also detected in the cream. It can cause skin irritation.
Those with information on the sale and supply of illegal products may contact HSA’s enforcement branch at hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg