Everyone is drawn to the enticing life of glamour in the age of social media. One adapts to a life that provides flawless activities, and this is where false marketing leads the way and convinces us to buy things that appear more fascinating without delving too deeply into them. To gain popularity, some lifestyle creators use various skin regimes to fulfill their desires without even checking the ingredient list that may contain mercury or considering it’s side effects. These products/devices may provide an immediate result, but they may have long-term consequences.
In this reference, some cosmetic manufacturing companies continue to produce products that contain hazardous materials such as mercury, which is primarily used to lighten the skin. Excessive use of these creams may result in strange sensations and arm weakness. Things can quickly deteriorate with symptoms such as slurred speech, blurred vision, and difficulty walking, landing you in the hospital and eventually becoming delirious.
A high level of mercury in your skincare products can wreak havoc on your skin, causing rashes, discoloration, and scarring and making your skin more susceptible to infections, which is the polar opposite of “skincare.” Skincare is more like it.
It can penetrate your skin and enter your bloodstream and other body parts. Mercury exposure can damage your body over time, including your kidneys and functions of your nervous system, such as your brain. Furthermore, mercury in your body during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities.
As a result, if you see the word “mercury” on the label of anything you’re using, stop using it right away. Ensure to thoroughly wash your hands and any body parts that came into contact with the product, and then store it in a leak-proof container. It is also known as “Hg”, “mercuric iodide”, “mercurous chloride”, “ammoniated mercury”, “amide chloride of mercury”, “quicksilver”, “cinnabar (mercury sulphide)”, “hydrargyri oxygen rubrum (mercury oxide)”, “mercury iodide” and “poison.”
If a product does not include an ingredient list, be especially wary. Product labels that are not regulated by the FDA or other government bodies may not accurately represent everything in the products. That would be like a random person handing you something and saying, “here, but this stuff on your face.”
Dr. Chytra V Anand, CEO, and Founder, Kosmoderma clinics said that, “Mercury is one of the ingredients used in skin bleaching creams. Due to mercury poisoning, many countries have banned the usage of skin bleaching products. Still, 1 out of 10 skin lightening products available in the market contains mercury.”
Signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning include:
- numbness
- high blood pressure
- lethargy
- sensitivity to light
- neurologic symptoms, such as tremors, memory loss, and irritability
- kidney failure
Further she added, “Always choose mercury-less skincare products. Kosmoderma Skin Brite Booster Capsules are specifically formulated for Indian skin tone to improve UV radiation and decrease tanning. The combination of L Glutathione, a super antioxidant, and Polypodium extract helps maintain texture and gives the skin a healthy glow.”
- pH balanced
- Soap-free and non-irritating formula
- Cleanses without leaving a filmy residue
- Protects from sun damage and dehydration
