Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Environmental watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition issued a warning on Tuesday against the illegal sale of banned mercury-laced cosmetics at shops in Taguig City.
The group said that from June 29 to July 1, they found at least 20 retail kiosks and shops in nine barangays in the city selling skin-lightening products containing dangerous levels of mercury.
READ: Crackdown on toxic products
It added that their findings were reported to Mayor Lani Cayetano, leading to a meeting on July 8 between the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office and EcoWaste to discuss possible measures to be taken against errant vendors.
READ: FDA urged to crack down on banned mercury cosmetics in Visayas
Among the banned products found to be for sale were Goree Gold 24K Beauty Cream (banned in 2023), 88 Total White Underarm Cream from Thailand (2021), Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene (2017), Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream from Pakistan, (2017), as well as Chinese products Jiaoli Miraculous Cream (banned since 2010) and S’Zitang 10 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set (2015).
Aileen Lucero, the EcoWaste national coordinator, warned that consumers were being “tricked into using these facial creams that promise to lighten the skin tone and manage symptoms of ageing.”
The World Health Organization lists mercury as one of the 10 chemicals of major public health concern. When used in skin-lightening products, it inhibits melanin production, resulting in a lighter skin tone. However, repeated applications could lead to skin discoloration, rashes, scarring, or worse, damage to the kidneys, brain, and central nervous system.