KUALA LUMPUR: The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) is urging the public to refrain from buying and using 14 cosmetic products which had been found to contain scheduled poison.
The cosmetics, which were detected to contain mercury, hydroquinone, tretinoin and diphenhydramine, were contained in skincare products from eight different manufacturers.
The products include Diamond Gold Skin Care - Diamond Gold Day/Night/Treatment Cream from Aleeya Ultimate Enterprise; Alora Night Glowing Cream from DM Beauty Resources; Karisma Nightcream Kunyit, Daycream and Treatment Sarang Burung (Karisma Cosmetics); and Seputih Melati Night Cream Whitening/Glowing (Aisyah Aura Beauty).
The other products are: Majaja Serum Channtiq from Has Beauty; SYMA Magical Serum and SYMA Facial Cleanser (Syima Global Enterprise); Khumaera Moistskin Cleanser (Khumaera Enterprise); and Bao Shu Tang Snow Lotus Cream from Bao Fu Ling Global Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.
Notification of these cosmetic products have been cancelled by the Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services, MOH following the detection of scheduled poison, said the ministry in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 9).
Products containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and diphenhydramine are classified as pharmaceutical products that require registration with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) and can only be used under the advice of healthcare professionals.
Cosmetic products adulterated with hydroquinone are typically marketed for skin lightening, as well as to treat blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Unsupervised usage of hydroquinone can cause skin redness, discomfort, skin discolouration, hypersensitivity and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Cosmetic products adulterated with tretinoin are commonly promoted for use in acne and to reduce wrinkles. Unsupervised usage of it can cause redness to the skin, discomfort, stinging, peeling and sensitivity to sunlight.
Cosmetic products adulterated with diphenhydramine are commonly used for temporary relief of itching and pain caused by insect bites, mild sunburn and minor skin irritations. This product can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and cause severe allergic reaction.
Cosmetic products adulterated with mercury can cause harm to human health and are commonly marketed for skin lightening and anti-ageing treatments such as for freckles, blemishes and wrinkles.
Exposure to mercury can cause damage to kidneys and to the nervous system. It may also interfere with the development of the brain in unborn children and very young children.
Infants and children could ingest mercury when they touch the cosmetic products containing mercury or their parents who have used these products. Using products containing mercury can also cause skin rashes, irritation and other changes to the skin.
Enquiries on cosmetic products can be emailed to kosmetik@npra.gov.my. Consumers and public may check the notification status of a cosmetic product via NPRA's official website at http://npra.moh.gov.my/ – Bernama
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