Eight brands of skin-whitening creams sold illegally in Bangladesh have been found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury, according to tests conducted by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). The mercury concentrations detected in the products were several times above the permissible limit under Bangladesh’s applicable standards, with some samples containing more than 100 times the accepted level.

BSTI has urged traders and consumers to stop selling, distributing, storing and using the products, warning that cosmetics containing excessive mercury may pose serious health risks.

In a press release issued on Tuesday (4 August), BSTI said it had collected samples of various skin-whitening creams from the market and sent them for laboratory analysis. The tests found that the mercury content in all eight products exceeded the country’s prescribed safety threshold.

Under Bangladesh Standard BDS-1382, the maximum permissible mercury concentration in cosmetics is 1.00 parts per million (ppm). However, laboratory tests found substantially higher levels in each of the eight creams examined. The highest concentration was detected in Dew Beauty Cream, which contained 123.37 ppm of mercury.

The tested products included Chandni Whitening Cream, manufactured by SJ Enterprise of Pakistan, which was found to contain 120.39 ppm of mercury. Dew Beauty Cream, produced by Creative Cosmetics of Pakistan, contained 123.37 ppm. Noor Whitening Cream, made by Noor Enterprise, contained 82.76 ppm.

Two products from Loya International were also found to contain excessive mercury. Navia Whitening Cream contained 79.70 ppm, while Navia Beauty Cream contained 59.82 ppm.

The other products identified in the BSTI tests were New Face Beauty Cream from QCI Company of Pakistan, with 44.72 ppm; Gouri Beauty Cream from Gouri Cosmetics Private Limited of Pakistan, with 56.93 ppm; and Natural Pearl Skin Cream from GLDJB (Harbin) Cosmetics Company of China, with 67.49 ppm.

BSTI said the findings were particularly concerning because the sale of imported skin-whitening products has increased in Bangladesh in recent times. According to the institution, a significant proportion of such products may enter the country outside formal import channels, including through passengers’ luggage or smuggling routes. As a result, many of these cosmetics may reach consumers without undergoing the usual checks for quality, composition and safety.

To address the problem, BSTI has been collecting samples from the market and conducting laboratory tests to identify products that may pose risks to consumers. The institution said it is also carrying out regular market inspections, surveillance operations and mobile court drives as part of efforts to ensure that unsafe or substandard products are removed from circulation.

BSTI Director General and Secretary Kazi Imdadul Haque said there would be no compromise on public health. He stressed that protecting consumers’ lives and health remained the institution’s highest priority and warned that legal action would be taken against those involved in manufacturing, importing or marketing cosmetics containing harmful substances.

He also advised consumers to avoid purchasing or using skin-whitening creams from unknown or unauthorised sources. Buyers should check whether a cosmetic product has the required BSTI approval and verify its legal status before purchasing it. Consumers have also been encouraged to report suspicious products to the relevant authorities.

Why excessive mercury is dangerous

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal and prolonged exposure can have serious consequences for human health. When used in cosmetics at excessive concentrations, it may damage the skin’s natural protective barrier. Long-term use can contribute to skin thinning, irritation, allergic reactions, persistent discolouration and other dermatological problems.

The potential harm, however, is not limited to the skin. Mercury exposure over an extended period can affect internal organs, particularly the kidneys, and may also damage the nervous system. Depending on the level and duration of exposure, it can have adverse effects on memory, physical functioning and overall health.

Pregnant women require particular caution. Exposure to high levels of mercury may pose risks to the developing foetus and could interfere with normal physical and neurological development. This makes the use of unregulated or unknown cosmetic products especially concerning for expectant mothers.

The latest findings have therefore prompted renewed calls for consumers to exercise caution when buying skin-whitening products. BSTI has specifically advised the public to avoid the eight identified brands and to remain vigilant about cosmetics that enter the country through unofficial channels.

The findings also highlight the importance of stronger oversight of the cosmetics market, particularly where products are imported or sold without clear information about their ingredients, origin and regulatory approval. For consumers, checking product authenticity and regulatory compliance before use remains an important safeguard against potentially harmful cosmetics.