On December 8, 2023, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health in Malaysia published a notice, warning the public to avoid purchasing and using certain cosmetics because these products contain toxic substances which are harmful to human health according to the official testing results.
The products include:
| No. | Product Name | Detected Toxic Substances |
| 1 | Bestie Moisturizer Cream | Mercury |
| 2 | Abyra Seaweed Skin Care- Seaweed Cell Renewal Night Cream | Mercury |
| 3 | Gerbera Beauty - Treatment & Repairing Night Cream |
Hydroquinone, Tretinoin and Betamethasone 17-Valerate |
| 4 | Gerbera Beauty - Whitening Night Cream | Mercury and Betamethasone 17-Valerate |
These products have been prohibited from being sold in Malaysia.
Exposure Damage:
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that it is prohibited to use mercury in cosmetics, as it may cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system, interfere with the brain development of children, and may result in adverse reactions such as rashes and irritation.
Additionally, products containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, and betamethasone 17-valerate must be registered by the NPRA and can only be used under the guidance of a health professional. Otherwise, it may cause side effects such as skin redness, allergies, peeling and even an increased risk of skin cancer.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health also reminds all sellers and distributors of these products to immediately stop related activities. Individuals or companies violating the drug control regulations will face fines and imprisonment. People using these cosmetics shall immediately stop using and seek help from health professionals if there any adverse reactions. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the public health and safety are of utmost importance and calls on the public to be more vigilant and pay attention to the product safety.
