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# Don't use foreign-made skin creams - FDA
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/fda_skin_creams_0319120700/
- Published: 2012-03-08T19:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:23:10.000Z
- Description: The FDA warned that skin lighteners, anti-aging and acne creams made overseas and sold illegally in the US may contain toxic amounts of mercury, with more than 35 such products found in recent years across at least seven states. One California woman had 100 times the average urinary mercury.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Drug, Health News, #vivvo-import

By Maria Cendejas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that skin creams, soaps and lotions that are manufactured overseas and sold in U.S. might contain toxic amounts of mercury, according to CBS.

"The products are usually marketed as skin lighteners or anti-aging creams to remove blemishes and acne creams," Gary Cody a national health fraud coordinator of the FDA said in a statement, "The agency says skin products containing mercury have been found in at least 7 states."

The products are manufactured overseas but sold illegally in U.S. often in Latino, Asian, African or Middle Eastern neighborhoods. In the past few years, more than 35 products that contain intolerable levels of mercury have been found by FDA and local health officials.

The FDA said that a 39-year-old woman from Northern California had more than 100 times the average amount of mercury in her urine. She also had symtoms of mercury poisoning. An investigation by Minnesota Department of Health officials found 11 of 27 imported skin products taken from store shelves that contained mercury. 

"Many of these products are coming into the country through channels we can't easily track, such as international mail and personal baggage. That's why it's so important for consumers and sellers to know about the dangers of possible mercury poisoning associated with the use of these skin products," said Coody.According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, mercury poisoning causes tremors, changes in vision or hearing, memory problems, depression, irritability, or numbness and tingling in the extremities or around the mouth.

The FDA warned people who may have these products should stop using them immediately.

Dr. Kenneth R. Spaeth, director of the occupational and environmental medicine center at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. said that these creams pose health risks from not only absorbing mercury through the skin, but also through inhaling the vapors. That means other people who are near the products are potentially at risk, he said.

Pregnant women and young children are especially at risk for heightened exposure because of the harm mercury can do to brains that are still developing, Spaeth said. 

Spaeth said," Some might not mention mercury as an ingredient, but may note mercurial salts have been used in these products. It can be mercuric salts, cinnabar, calomel, mercuris chloride, or other mercury derivatives that aren't easily recognized. Some products manufactured in countries with loose regulation might not mention anything."

The FDA advised people should not use any skin care products that are unlabeled, and to stop using any products that mention any "mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio or mercury." If you suspect that you have used a mercury-containing skin product, wash your hands and the area immediately and call your doctor or local health department. Seal it in a plastic bag or leak-proof container and check with your local waste agency about disposal.