Toxic Beauty: Mercury-Laced Cosmetics from Indonesia Found in Philippine Online Market—EcoWaste Coalition Raises Alarm

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In a chilling exposé that underscores a growing public health threat, the environmental health watchdog EcoWaste Coalition has sounded a resounding alarm over the discovery of mercury-laced cosmetics flooding the local online marketplace—products that originate from Indonesia and are openly peddled to unsuspecting Filipino consumers.

The group’s latest investigation unearthed mercury contamination in eight out of eleven skin-lightening creams purchased through Indonesian online sellers, with prices ranging from a mere ₱65 to ₱121. The products, often poorly labeled and unregistered, may look harmless in their dainty plastic containers—but hidden inside is a dangerous secret.

“Poison comes in small and poorly labeled packages,” warned Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition. “These toxic products are being sold with little to no labeling, no authorization, and zero regard for consumer safety. The easiest way to protect ourselves is to reject these hazardous whitening products and embrace our natural skin tone.”

A Toxic Trade Thriving in Plain Sight

Using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the group detected mercury levels in clear violation of international safety standards. Some of the most alarming findings include:

Temulawak Beauty Whitening Cream (night) – 7,043 ppm

SP Herbal Mint Day/Night – 2,222 ppm

SP UV Special Ginseng Whitening & Anti-Acne – 1,804 ppm

New Special 99 Whitening Cream – 889 ppm

Temulawak Beauty Whitening Cream (day & night) – 648 ppm

Unlabeled White Cream – 600 ppm

L-Sky Glow – 564 ppm

Unlabeled Yellow Cream – 384 ppm

All these numbers far exceed the 1 ppm mercury limit set by the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty aimed at phasing out mercury use to protect human health and the environment.

Dangerous Repeats of a Growing Trend

This is not the first time that EcoWaste Coalition has uncovered such toxic products. In 2023, the group flagged Dr. Gold Super Quality +SPF30, Fair & Lovely Day & Night Cream, and La Bella Day and Night Cream, all of which were found contaminated with mercury. Following these revelations, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued health advisories warning the public against using these items.

A Silent Killer: Mercury’s Lethal Legacy

Medical experts have long warned that mercury exposure through the skin can lead to a plethora of health issues. From skin rashes and blotching to neurological impairments, the damage can be irreversible and, in some cases, fatal.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include:

Tremors and numbness

Insomnia and irritability

Kidney dysfunction

Memory loss

Hearing and vision problems

Altered taste perception

Lucero emphasized, “We’re not just talking about cosmetic damage. We’re talking about lifelong health consequences.”

Regulatory Gaps and E-Commerce Complicity

EcoWaste Coalition calls out not just unscrupulous sellers, but also the administrators of e-commerce and social media platforms that enable this toxic trade to thrive.

“These platforms have a moral and legal responsibility to police their own listings,” Lucero said. “Regulators need to flex their enforcement muscle and ensure that the public is shielded from these chemical threats.”

A Call for ASEAN-Wide Action

Lee Bell, Technical and Policy Advisor of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), emphasized the need for a regional crackdown:

“The use of mercury in cosmetics exposes entire communities to health hazards. The only way to dismantle this illegal market is through bilateral and multilateral cooperation across ASEAN.”

Bell advocated for a complete ban on elemental mercury imports across ASEAN countries to cut off the supply chain and urged for intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement to shut down rogue producers and sellers.

Three Products Negative—But Still Not Safe?

While three products—Cream Ketiak, Cream Leher, and Herbal Plus Day & Night Cream—tested negative for mercury, their overall safety remains questionable due to the lack of full labeling and proper certification. The threat of other undisclosed contaminants looms large.

Final Word: Beauty at What Cost?

As the world pushes for cleaner, greener, and more ethical beauty standards, the continued presence of mercury-laced products in the online market is a grim reminder of the dangers lurking behind vanity and profit.

Let this serve as a wake-up call to all: Toxic cosmetics are not just a health risk—they are a slow and silent killer. The time to act is now.

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