The products are Nuriz Shoppe – Uv Pearl Cream and Nuriz- D’solve (from Progressive Mix Industries), Aura Gorgeous Night Cream (Aura Gorgeous Beauty & Healthy), and NV Anti Blemish Toner 1 (Nouvelle Beauty Centre Sdn Bhd).
Nuriz Shoppe – Uv Pearl Cream, Nuriz- D’solve and Aura Gorgeous Night Cream contain mercury while the NV Anti Blemish Toner 1 has hydroquinone and tretinoin.
“Products containing hydroquinone and tretinoin are classified as pharmaceutical products that need to be registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) and can only be used under the advice of healthcare professionals,” director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.
The statement said cosmetic products adulterated with hydroquinone are typically marketed for skin lightening, as well as, to treat blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Hydroquinone can cause skin redness, discomfort, skin discolouration and hypersensitivity. Hydroquinone inhibits the pigmentation process (depigmentation) which reduces the skin’s ability to be protected from harmful UV rays, thus, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Cosmetic products adulterated with tretinoin are commonly promoted for use in acne and to reduce wrinkles. Preparations containing tretinoin should only be used under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
The unsupervised usage of tretinoin can cause redness to the skin, discomfort, stinging, peeling and sensitivity to sunlight.
Cosmetic products adulterated with mercury can affect one’s health and they are commonly marketed for skin lightening and anti-aging treatments such as for freckles, blemishes and wrinkles.
Exposure to mercury can damage kidneys and the nervous system.
“Exposure to mercury is not only limited to the person using the skin cream containing mercury but also to others especially children when they breath in mercury vapours.
Infants and children can 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,” Dr Noor Hisham said.
The Health Ministry warned all retailers and distributors to stop selling and distributing the products with immediate effect.
“Selling or distributing these cosmetic products is an offence under the Control Of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.”
Those found guilty of flouting this regulation can be fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or a maximum jail term of three years or both.
Companies, meanwhile, can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and fined up to a maximum of RM100,000 for subsequent offences.
“Consumers are advised to stop using these products and seek further advice from healthcare professionals if experiencing any unpleasant effects.”