Mercury in cosmetics: Fact Sheet 4
Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the top ten chemicals or group of chemicals of major public health concern by WHO. Mercury is found in both inorganic and organic forms in cosmetics. Intentional use of mercury salts is prohibited in non eye care cosmetics in several countries such as the US and the EU and India. However, inorganic ammoniated mercuric chloride and iodide are found mostly to be used in skin lightening creams.