Whitening underarm cream has very high mercury levels & potent steroid, consumers should seek treatment: HSA

Q-Nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream contains mercury levels not allowed in cosmetic skin creams

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has sounded an alert over a brand of whitening underarm cream that has “very high” levels of mercury.

In a press release on Friday (25 Oct), HSA advised members of the public not to purchase or use Q-Nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream.

Whitening underarm cream contained mercury, steroid & preservative

Suspicions were aroused in a consumer after she purchased the product online and “experienced immediate and effective results”, HSA said.

Rather than being pleased, she reported it to HSA as she suspected it “contained potent ingredients”.

A test revealed that besides very high levels of mercury, the cream contained a potent steroid named betamethasone valerate and a preservative named triclosan.

These substances are not allowed in cosmetic skin creams, HSA added.

Mercury may cause serious harm to users

According to HSA, mercury is a “toxic heavy metal” that may cause serious harm to one’s health, starting with:

• Rashes
• Skin irritation
• Blotchiness

When absorbed through the skin, it can also cause:

• Numbness
• Dizziness
• Headaches

If used over the long-term, it’s toxic to the kidneys, digestive, and nervous systems and leads to organ damage.

It’s therefore not allowed as an ingredient in cosmetic products.

The steroid betamethasone valerate is usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under medical supervision, HSA said.

Long-term unsupervised use can cause:

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Thinning of the skin
• Steroid withdrawal syndrome (burning, itching and redness following sudden stopping of prolonged use)

If absorbed into the body, it can cause serious adverse effects such as:

• High blood pressure
• Cataracts
• Muscular and bone disorders
• An increased risk of infections
• Cushing’s syndrome (a round face or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs)

Lastly, the preservative triclosan has anti-bacterial properties which may cause skin irritation.

Cream was sold online as well as in Lucky Plaza shop

HSA investigations revealed that Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream was not only offered for sale over local e-commerce platforms such as Carousell, Shopee, and Lazada. It could also be found at a physical shop named Beauty & Bath in Lucky Plaza.

On the packaging, it is said that the cream “reduces body odour while providing whitening effect and smooth skin tone”.

It also claimed to be “safe, natural, non-toxic and harmless to your skin”, HSA said.

The affected online listings have been removed after HSA worked with the platform administrators. The agency also seized the products from the Lucky Plaza shop.

Two sellers are assisting with investigations.

Consumers using affected cream should see a doctor

HSA strongly encouraged consumers using Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream to see a doctor “as soon as possible”.

They should also be wary of so-called “miracle products” or those with exaggerated claims such as being “harmless”, “100% safe” or having “no side effects”.

Caution should be exercised when buying from dubious, unfamiliar or online sources. Consumers are advised to buy health products only from reputable pharmacies or websites, or those with an established retail presence in Singapore.

Also read: HSA finds potent steroids in 3 health products, warns public against consuming them

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Featured image adapted from Health Sciences Authority.