Skin-whitening creams marketed to both women and men with claims of delivering a fairer complexion within days have been declared harmful to human health.
The Punjab Drug Regulatory Authority (PDRA) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of specific batches of well-known local brands from the market.
According to the PDRA, inspections and laboratory testing revealed the presence of a prohibited substance in several popular beauty creams. The authority confirmed that these products contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks to consumers.
Health experts explain that mercury can be absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the body, potentially damaging the kidneys and other vital organs.
Prolonged use of mercury-containing cosmetic products may lead to severe medical complications and long-term health problems.
In a separate development, the Punjab Drug Regulatory Authority also disclosed that five homeopathic medicines were found to contain allopathic ingredients. Following these findings, legal proceedings have been initiated against the manufacturers of the affected products
