Is kidney damage linked to mercury in skin-lightening creams bought online? Study finds eight brands with levels a thousand times higher than legal limit

Of the 31 creams tested, 25 were found to contain mercury thousands of times higher than the 1 ppm usual legal limit. Toxics Link from India tested eight skin lightening creams of different brands manufactured in India, Pakistan and Thailand and found the mercury concentration in seven samples to be in the range of 7331 ppm to 27,431 ppm. In contrast, only a few mercury-added products were found on platforms in the US and the European Union (EU), indicating how unsuspecting and unaware customers were exposed to risks in unregulated online marketplaces.

“While Indian brands in the organised sector comply with norms, the continued availability of highly toxic, non-compliant skin lightening creams by foreign and unorganised sector manufacturers on online marketplaces is a serious violation of national regulations. Since 2023, we have been highlighting cases of kidney diseases, even failure, from excess mercury in creams. Three women of a family in Akola, Maharashtra, had suffered kidney damage after applying heavy mercury-laden creams,” says Satish Sinha, associate director, Toxics Link, who has been working with doctors across the country to track usage and side effects of skin lightening products marketed online.

What do mercury-laden creams do to the skin?

Many unregulated fairness and skin-lightening creams contain mercury, a heavy metal that is highly toxic to the nervous system, liver and the kidneys. “Mercury is used in skin-lightening products because it suppresses melanin, the pigment that acts as a natural sunscreen by blocking harmful UV rays, leading to a lighter complexion. It pauses the enzyme necessary for melanin creation, and is also used as a preservative in some cosmetics,” says Dr D M Mahajan, senior dermatologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.

According to him, many users don’t know that such creams can build dependent behaviour. “Because the skin lightening effect is immediate, users develop a dependence. But such creams damage the skin’s protective barrier. So when you stop using it, the skin can go worse, with irritation, redness, patches, tingling sensations and even temporary loss of hair or skin. This is known as a reverse phenomenon,” says Dr Mahajan.

What are side effects?

Apart from the skin, there are other effects. Chronic exposure to mercury through these creams is a known cause of nephrotic syndrome, a condition where the kidneys leak excessive protein into the urine. “Over time this can lead to renal failure and we have recorded cases. It can cause sores in the mouth, affect the nervous system, triggering tremors and itching,” says Dr Mahajan.

How does mercury get into the body by topical application of creams?

Inhalation is the commonest route, by which the mercury vapour gets to the lung and damages it over time. “It can get in accidentally through lips, where the cream or lotion may spill on to and the user may lick it unconsciously. This way it gets absorbed in the gut. Then there is mucosal absorption through the eyes,” says Dr Mahajan.

But the reason it goes straight to the kidneys in big amounts is because of its absorption through the skin. “The average skin surface area is  1.73 sq metres, so if you are using a lightening lotion, then the  absorption is quite a bit,” he explains.

How to prevent usage of mercury-laden products?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a product contains mercury if you see the label containing Calomel, Cinnabaris, Hydrargyri oxydum rubrum or Quicksilver. If you see the word “mercury” or “mercuric” on the list of ingredients, that also means the product contains mercury. Check for a warning that tells you to keep the product away from silver, gold, rubber, aluminium, and jewellery because mercury can damage these. “Always consult a dermatologist for skin lightening treatments. If it is a foreign cream, see if it is US FDA (Food and Drug Administration-approved),” advises Dr Mahajan. “Only tested and certified products must be retailed on country online platforms,” argues Sinha.