WASTE and pollution watchdog EcoWaste Coalition announced that it has detected dangerously high mercury levels in another Pakistan-made skin lightening product, marking its 50th such discovery to date.
The product, Gold Swan 24K Gold Beauty Cream, was purchased for P250 from an online seller. According to X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) screening conducted by the group, the cream contained 33,680 parts per million (ppm) of mercury.
This level vastly exceeds the one ppm limit set under Pakistan Standard 3228-2017 and the 15 ppm threshold for waste to be classified as mercury-contaminated under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It also breaches the Minamata Convention’s global phase-out deadline for mercury-added cosmetics, which was originally set for 2020 and updated to 2025 during the 2023 Conference of the Parties.
EcoWaste noted that the product was manufactured in May 2026 – the same month as its 49th finding, Faiza Beauty Cream Infused with Omega-3. The group highlighted that this timeline points to the continued production of toxic, mercury-containing skin lighteners in Pakistan.
Despite listing gold pigments and plant extracts as key ingredients, the packaging of Gold Swan fails to declare mercury or its compounds and provides no safety hazard warnings. The product’s label claims it promotes a youthful, glowing complexion, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, repairs sun-damaged skin, and evens out skin tone.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that inorganic mercury found in skin lightening products can lead to severe health issues, including:
Kidney damage, skin rashes, discoloration, and scarring
Reduced resistance to bacterial and fungal infections
Neurological and psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, and peripheral neuropathy.
In addition, mercury discharged into wastewater poses environmental risks. Once in the ecosystem, it converts into methylmercury and accumulates in fish, presenting severe risks of neurodevelopmental deficits in fetuses when consumed by pregnant women.
In response to the finding, EcoWaste urged the public to embrace natural skin tones, reject colorism, and remain vigilant against chemical whiteners. The group advised consumers to watch out for poor labeling and exaggerated claims, exercise caution when purchasing cosmetics from social media and online platforms, verify product approvals with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to buying, and seek immediate medical attention if adverse reactions occur.
EcoWaste confirmed it has formally notified the FDA regarding the toxic Gold Swan product to initiate appropriate regulatory action.