Skin-lightening products, including creams and soaps sold over the counter in New York City, can contain high amounts of mercury, a harmful metal.
Health Department has removed 1820 products from store shelves
March 18, 2025 — The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) today warned New Yorkers about 22 skin lightening products, including 15 creams from Pakistan and two from Thailand with elevated amounts of mercury, a harmful metal. These products, sold over the counter in NYC, can contain up to 30,000 times the allowable limit for mercury in cosmetics. These types of products may be used to lighten, whiten or brighten the skin, or remove freckles, spots, marks, acne, under-eye circles and wrinkles. None of the 22 products referred to above listed mercury as an ingredient on their label.
