Skin whitening creams, soaps found with mercury

Some of the soaps, creams that contain poisonous levels of mercury

The Food and Drug Department says that some skin lightening creams and beauty or antiseptic soaps and lotions on the local market were found to contain mercury that exceeded appropriate levels and it advises the public to stop using them immediately.

In a press release, the Department said the products are marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles and that they were found to contain mercury—a toxic metal that can cause severe