On September 16, 2026, Reuters reported that more than 20 banned mercury skin-bleaching products were available through third-party marketplaces run by Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop in several countries. That is a dated report, not a live inventory check: it does not establish which listings remain available now or how many products appeared on each platform.
What the marketplace report does—and does not—show
Reuters’ review, republished by the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, found more than 20 banned mercury skin-bleaching products offered on third-party marketplaces operated by Amazon, Temu and TikTok Shop in several countries. The report is a snapshot from September 16, 2026, not proof that any particular listing is still live.
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The figure does not provide a country-by-country inventory or a comparable count for each marketplace. It also does not mean every skin-lightening product on those platforms contains mercury. The UNEP report notes that more than 150 nations are parties to the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury, but that international agreement does not make the Reuters finding a measure of enforcement or availability in every country.
Why mercury in skin-lightening cream is dangerous
Mercury can be absorbed through the skin, and repeated use can allow it to build up in the body. The FDA warns that exposure may damage the kidneys and nervous system and can injure the skin. Reported neurological effects include tremors, tingling or numbness, headache, fatigue, and changes in mood or thinking. The FDA also lists possible effects on the digestive and immune systems, lungs, and eyes. Exposure does not mean poisoning will occur, but continued use increases the risk of harm.
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Children and pregnant people face heightened risks. Mercury exposure can also reach other people in a household through vapors or items such as towels contaminated by the product. The FDA’s consumer warning and its table of tested products are available on its warning about skin products containing mercury and/or hydroquinone.
How to tell if a skin cream may contain mercury
Check the ingredient list for these names, which the FDA identifies as mercury terms:
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- CLINICAL EXPERTISE: Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free. Dermatologist tested. Safe for sensitive skin.
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- Mercurous chloride
- Calomel
- Mercuric
- Mercurio
- Hg
A label check cannot prove that a product is safe. Some illegal products may omit harmful ingredients. The FDA flags handmade labels, labels only in languages other than English, and products with no label as warning signs. Its advice is direct: “If the ingredients aren’t listed and there is no product label, don’t assume it’s fine.” Do not use a suspicious cream or treat the absence of a mercury listing as reassurance. Read the FDA’s skin product safety guidance for more on label concerns.
What to do if you used a suspected mercury cream
- Wash the contacted skin. If the cream is on your skin, wash it off.
- Get advice. Contact a healthcare professional or clinic. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.
- Keep the product contained while seeking disposal advice. Before discarding it, seal it in a plastic bag or leak-proof container. Ask local environmental, health, or solid-waste authorities how to dispose of it safely.
- Consider possible household exposure. The FDA says family members may be exposed to mercury vapors or contaminated towels and similar items. Ask a healthcare professional or Poison Control what precautions make sense for your situation.
The FDA’s mercury poisoning guidance for skin products covers exposure and disposal. Do not put an unidentified product in ordinary rubbish without first checking local instructions.
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What FDA rules mean for U.S. shoppers
In the United States, mercury use in skin-lightening products is banned. The FDA says there are no FDA-approved or legally marketed over-the-counter (OTC) skin-lightening products. It advises people with concerns such as dark or age spots to talk with a doctor about options. This warning about OTC products should not be confused with prescription treatment: the FDA says hydroquinone-containing OTC products are not approved, while a healthcare provider may prescribe a product containing hydroquinone.
The FDA’s testing record also illustrates why a product name or old listing should not be treated as a current marketplace check. Its table reports that in 2022 it tested HIYADY Glutatione Cream White & Bright, listed Amazon.com as the seller, recorded the country of origin as unknown, and found 15,900 parts per million (ppm) of mercury. That is a historical agency test result, not evidence that the product is currently listed or that other products have the same mercury level.
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What a U.S. enforcement case shows
On January 30, 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a proposed settlement resolving allegations about Amazon’s facilitation of sales into California of skin-lightening face creams with high mercury levels. The proposed terms included a suppression rule that Amazon would continue adjusting, an experienced independent product consultant, and a list of pre-approved brands without mercury. The state described nearly $600,000 in settlement payments and costs. The proposed consent judgment was still subject to court approval when announced; the announcement alone does not establish its later status. Details are in the California Attorney General’s settlement announcement.
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