Skin Lightening Products Found to Contain Mercury, Hydroquinone and/or Steroids

Skin lightening products may contain toxic chemicals that can negatively impact the consumer’s health and family living in the same space, such as children or elders. Reasons for using skin lightening products vary, though are often rooted in colorism. While hydroquinone and steroids can be legally found in some products intended for inflammatory skin conditions, those products are typically intended for only short-term use when appropriate, and they must meet stringent requirements for ingredient concentration, labeling and storage. Consumers may sometimes see the steroid hydrocortisone as an ingredient in over the counter products, however a product with unknown concentrations of any of these steroids is a higher health risk to consumers because of their potential toxicity.

Access full article here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/skin/docs/testedprds.pdf