Thai underarm whitening cream seized from Lucky Plaza shop, found to contain toxic metal
A skincare cream was seized from a Lucky Plaza shop called Beauty & Bath after the product was found to contain a toxic metal, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in an alert on Oct 25.
HSA also worked with administrators of local e-commerce platforms such as Carousell, Shopee and Lazada to remove listings of Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream from Thailand.
Two sellers are assisting with investigations.
The cream was touted to help reduce body odour, whiten and smoothen skin tone and claimed to be “safe, natural, non-toxic and harmless to your skin”.
A woman who purchased the product online experienced immediate and effective results, which made her suspicious, and she reported it to HSA.
HSA’s test revealed that the cream contained potent ingredients, including very high levels of mercury, a steroid called betamethasone valerate and a preservative known as triclosan that is not allowed in cosmetic skin creams.
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products. It may cause rashes, skin irritation and blotchiness, and can be absorbed through the skin causing numbness, dizziness and headaches. Long term use of mercury containing products can also cause toxic effects to the kidneys, digestive and nervous systems, leading to organ damage.
Betamethasone valerate is a potent steroid usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under medical supervision.
Long-term unsupervised use of steroid-containing creams can cause hypersensitivity reactions, thinning of the skin and steroid withdrawal syndrome. They may also be absorbed into the body and cause serious adverse effects such as high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, an increased risk of infections and Cushing’s syndrome.
Triclosan is a preservative with anti-bacterial properties which may cause skin irritation.
Consumers who are using Q-nic Care Whitening Underarm Cream are strongly encouraged to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Stopping usage of steroid-containing creams suddenly without medical supervision may worsen underlying skin conditions or cause topical steroid withdrawal symptoms such as burning, redness, itching or peeling of skin.
All sellers and suppliers must stop selling this product immediately or are liable to be prosecuted. If convicted, they may be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to $50,000.
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