Alarming Levels of Mercury Found in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products in the GCC Region

Recent research has revealed that certain brands of cosmetics and personal care products flooding the market have been found to have hazardous levels of mercury. These brands often market their products as ‘skin lighteners’ and ‘anti-aging treatments’ to the public.

Why does it matter?

The GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) has deemed personal care products that contain mercury levels above 1 ppm as dangerous and hence prohibited their entry into the Gulf regions. This is because long-term exposure to high levels of mercury has drastic and adverse effects on human health. Some health risks include:

• Cancer

• Neurological impairments

• Permanent brain damage
• Permanent kidney damage
• Hormonal imbalances
• Circulatory failure

In addition to the physical effects of mercury exposure, researchers are also concerned about the ecological impact of the above. The mercury found in these products can end up in wastewater, from where it can enter other waterways and then ultimately the food chain.

Despite stringent regulations, high-mercury products continue to circulate, mainly through online platforms. These products often skip necessary testing and evaluations, putting consumers at significant risk.

How to keep safe?

Ensuring your safety is of paramount importance, and this is where SGS can help. Our advanced state-of-the-art technology, including ICP-MS, allows us to swiftly and accurately determine mercury levels in all cosmetics and personal care products. By choosing SGS-certified products, you can trust that they meet the highest safety standards.