Wazzup Pilipinas!?
QUEZON CITY, 18 July 2025 — In the dark corners of the internet where viral marketing meets consumer desire, a dangerous trade thrives unchecked: mercury-laced cosmetics disguised as miracle skin-lightening products. Despite the full enforcement of Republic Act No. 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act, unscrupulous sellers continue to exploit e-commerce platforms to promote and peddle adulterated beauty products that pose grave threats to public health.
EcoWaste Coalition, a staunch environmental health watchdog, is once again sounding the alarm.
Promos of Poison
Skin whitening creams with high levels of toxic mercury are being marketed aggressively through enticing online promos: “Buy 5, Get 1 Free,” “Super Flash Sale,” “Only ₱150 Today,” and similar gimmicks that cloak poison in affordability. These cosmetic contraband items—illegally imported from Thailand and Pakistan—have all been flagged as dangerous by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The notorious Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream, and Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream, along with the 88 Total White Underarm Cream, are being sold with impunity on Shopee, Lazada, Facebook, and TikTok despite being explicitly banned years ago due to their toxic mercury content.
“Digital dealers are manipulating the system, exploiting the aesthetics-driven aspirations of consumers while willfully disregarding public health,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “These promos are more than just false advertising—they are public health landmines.”
The Law Is In Effect, But Is It Enforced?
Republic Act No. 11967 was envisioned to safeguard consumers in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. With its full implementation taking effect just last June 20 after an 18-month transition period, advocates had high hopes it would rein in unlawful online transactions.
But the grim reality remains: enforcement is faltering.
“The internet is not a lawless jungle,” emphasized Atty. Grip Bueta, legal counsel of EcoWaste. “Now that RA 11967 is in full effect, e-commerce platforms must be held accountable if they turn a blind eye to illegal and unethical sales happening within their domains. Our laws must evolve with technology, not trail behind it.”
The Internet Transactions Act also established the E-Commerce Bureau (ECB) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), tasked with implementing the law and monitoring online marketplaces for compliance. But the EcoWaste Coalition says the ECB must now show it has teeth—and bite.
“We are pinning our hopes on the ECB’s capacity to act decisively,” Lucero added. “Online marketplaces should not be safe havens for toxic trade. The people deserve better.”
The Mercury Menace
Mercury is not just another banned substance—it is a known neurotoxin. Exposure can lead to kidney damage, skin disorders, and long-term neurological impairments. Women of childbearing age, adolescents, and babies in the womb are especially vulnerable to its toxic effects.
Despite decades of advocacy and bans by the World Health Organization and local regulatory bodies, mercury-laden skin lightening products continue to circulate—often smuggled, repackaged, and disguised to evade detection.
“These products are silent killers,” said Lucero. “The damage is not always immediate. But it accumulates—day by day, layer by layer—under the false promise of fairness and beauty.”
The Hidden Cost of Online Convenience
The digital revolution brought convenience, speed, and access. But it also brought risks. Online sellers can now reach thousands—if not millions—of consumers at the click of a button. And with weak enforcement, dangerous goods can be moved faster than regulators can react.
“This is why regulation in the digital era must be agile, proactive, and uncompromising,” said Bueta. “The online marketplace should not be a blind spot in our country’s fight for consumer safety.”
The EcoWaste Coalition urges consumers to remain vigilant. It calls on digital platforms not just to comply with the law, but to become proactive allies in protecting public health.
Hope Through Vigilance
Though frustrated by ongoing violations, the EcoWaste Coalition remains hopeful. The group believes that with strengthened coordination among the DTI, FDA, Bureau of Customs, and civil society—and with the support of alert consumers—the tide can still turn.
Their message is clear: beauty should never come at the cost of health.
“Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, Facebook—you are not just tech companies. You are gatekeepers of public trust,” Lucero declared. “If you let these toxins slip through your platforms, you’re complicit.”
In the era of likes, shares, and flash sales, the digital world may seem intangible. But its consequences are all too real.
Let the new law be more than words on paper. Let it be a shield for every Filipino scrolling for skincare, unaware that behind the glow, a hidden danger waits.
SIDEBAR: How to Spot Mercury-Laced Cosmetics Online
Too-good-to-be-true skin whitening promises
Lack of FDA registration number
Packaging written in foreign languages only
No manufacturer or distributor information
Heavy discounts, bundles, or flash sale gimmicks
If you suspect a product is unsafe, report it to the FDA and avoid sharing or promoting links that could endanger others.
Stay informed. Stay safe. Let’s build a toxic-free digital marketplace—together.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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