Mercury in Skin Lightening Products: Seventeen Years of U.S. and Global Data for Stronger Public Health Action

Skin lightening products (SLPs) that contain mercury remain available for sale worldwide despite international, national, and local bans and the known health risks of exposure. Several non-governmental organizations and government agencies have conducted mercury testing of SLPs for many years, but these data remain fragmented and underutilized. In this study, we conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of aggregated, targeted SLP surveillance data from the California Department of Public Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Zero Mercury Working Group. A total of 2090 samples were collected from 31 countries and 3 U.S. localities between 2009 and 2026. The mercury concentration of samples was measured using either laboratory-based analytical methods or X-ray fluorescence screening methods. Descriptive statistics for mercury concentrations were calculated across collection locations, testing methods, and individual products and brands. In this targeted surveillance dataset, mercury was detected in 66% of samples tested (n = 1372) and 49% of samples (n = 1020) contained mercury in excess of 1 part per million. Our results demonstrate the continued availability of mercury-containing SLPs across various countries and jurisdictions and the need for coordinated action to protect human health from mercury-containing products.