Mercury ban in cosmetics: Why it's harmful to your health and where it might be hiding

Mercury in makeup: What’s the big deal?

Mercury is sometimes used in skin-lightening creams, anti-wrinkle products, and eye makeup to deliver quick results, according to the FDA. But over time, it can do serious damage.

• Skin rashes
• Discolouration
• Thinning skin
• Permanent scarring
• Mood changes, memory issues, and numbness
• Long-term neurological harm

Worse still? When you use mercury-laced products, your family can be exposed too, through shared towels, bedding, or even just the air.

What the rules say right now

India currently allows:

• Up to 70 parts per million (ppm) of mercury in eye makeup
• Just 1 ppm in other cosmetics

But that might soon change. The government is looking to ban anything with more than 1 ppm, bringing India in line with global safety standards under the Minamata Convention, a UN-backed treaty.

What’s changing and what to expect

Cosmetic brands may soon need to self-declare if they use mercury. Surprise lab tests and random product checks are also on the cards.

So… how can you protect yourself?

Here’s what beauty-conscious shoppers should do:

• Read the label. If a product doesn’t list ingredients, skip it.
• Look out for terms like “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” or “mercuric iodide”, these are mercury.
• Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve used anything questionable.
• Dispose of products safely, not in the regular bin.

Who’s most at risk?

• Pregnant women