Poisonous Cosmetics: Regulating mercury containing skin whitening creams (SWCs) in Pakistan

Abstract

The obsession for fair skin in the subcontinent is believed to have emerged with the introduction of the cast system according to which fair complexion was considered as the domain of the upper ruling class, whereas dark complexion was associated with the lower working class. (Islam KS et al. 2006). It is also suggested that the migration of Aryans, who were much fairer than the local population, may also have influenced the dark skinned population’s desire for fair complexion. The use of mercury (3rd most hazardous chemical) in various cosmetic products, particularly for its skin whitening effects, has been in practice since the nineteenth century (US NIH, 1996) and such products continue to be easily accessible in open markets and are most commonly used world around including many developing countries.