Toxics watchdog group finds mercury up to 209 ppm in China-made lipsticks
29 July 2026, Quezon City. Beware: Toxic mercury is not restricted to contraband skin lighteners; it has also been detected in some lipsticks. Because these products are applied to the lips, users face a direct ingestion risk of mercury, a potent neurotoxin that is banned in cosmetics.
In observance of National Lipstick Day, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition cautioned consumers, women and girls in particular, from consuming cheap lipsticks that have not undergone quality and safety assessment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being placed in the market.
The group reiterated the risk of consuming unauthorized and unverified cosmetics following its discovery of mercury in eight lipsticks bearing the name “Chanlanya” that are sold for P450 per box of 24 tubes.
“It is alarming that some lip cosmetics contain mercury, as applying them regularly allows harmful toxins to accumulate in your system over time,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “Consumers are advised to prioritize their health and safety, and steer clear of unauthorized and unverified lipsticks.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “exposure to mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems, and is a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life.”
While the box identifies China as the country of manufacture, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of Chanlanya Lipstick is not provided.
According to the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) screening results, the eight lipsticks contained mercury at levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm), the trace-amount limit for mercury as a heavy metal contaminant in cosmetics under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD).
Oplus_131072
Mercury impurities measured at 19, 20, 21, 60, 62, 64, 208, and 209 ppm were detected in the red-colored lipsticks, the EcoWaste Coalition said.
Upon checking with the FDA Verification Portal, no record was found for Chanlanya Lipstick, indicating it has not been issued with the necessary Certification of Product Notification (CPN).
Manufacturers, importers, or distributors of cosmetics and other health products have to secure a certificate of product notification or registration from the FDA, noting that Republic Act No. 9711, or the FDA Act, considers the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, promotion, and sale of unnotified or unregistered health products illegal and subject to strict penalties.
The FDA has warned that the use of health products that have bypassed quality and safety checks “may pose health risks to consumers.”
“Potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated cosmetic products may result in adverse reactions including, but not limited to, skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and organ failure,” the FDA warned.
To prevent and reduce health risks associated with adulterated lipsticks, the EcoWaste Coalition urged consumers to take the following safety tips into account:
— Go to the FDA verification portal (https://verification.fda.gov.ph/) to check if the product is authorized before making a purchase.
— Avoid buying unauthorized lipsticks; shun imitation products.
— Reject lipsticks with no labeling information.
— Get your lipstick from a licensed dealer and ask for an official receipt.
— Be wary if the price is incredibly low; it probably is a counterfeit.
— Use less lipstick if you are uncertain if it is safe from lead, mercury, and other contaminants.
— Don’t let children play with lipstick.
##########
Reference:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health
https://verification.fda.gov.ph/
