Banned Toxic Skin-Lightening Products Still Sold on Amazon, Temu and TikTok

Reports indicate that over 20 banned skin-lightening products containing mercury continue to be sold on Amazon, Temu, and TikTok Shop marketplaces in several countries. These items, despite being linked to mercury, persist due to their ability to rapidly lighten skin. The 2013 Minamata Convention restricts the manufacture, import, and sale of mercury-containing products, with 150 countries party to it.

The World Health Organization warns of mercury's potential harm to kidneys, brain, and nervous system. Despite being identified on restricted lists, these products often reappear under different names or sellers. Some sellers employ tactics to hide the origins and ingredients of these banned products. Of the 20 products identified by Reuters, none explicitly mentioned mercury in their listings.

While the presence of mercury cannot be independently confirmed, the items continue to be sold due to their quick skin-lightening effects. Mercury-containing products can achieve visible lightening within days, faster than legal ingredients like kojic acid and arbutin. A 2021 study found mercury-linked products to be significantly cheaper, costing around $6.50 per ounce in the US, compared to $24.89 for legal alternatives.

Health experts emphasize that there is no safe level of mercury exposure. The US Food and Drug Administration caps mercury in cosmetics at one part per million.