A woman at her dressing table carefully reading the label on a plain skincare jar

Krim Merkuri: Bahaya, Tanda & Cara Semak Status KKM

十月 20, 2026 Drann Editorial Team

Krim merkuri is a skin cream, usually sold for whitening or removing dark spots, that contains mercury, a scheduled poison banned in cosmetics in Malaysia. Mercury can whiten skin quickly, but according to the WHO it can damage the kidneys and nerves, cause rashes, discolouration and scarring, and harm the brain development of unborn and young children. Mercury is often not listed on the label, so check the product’s NOT notification number on the NPRA website and the NPRA list of cancelled cosmetics. If you have been using a cream that KKM has banned, stop using it and see a doctor.

Apa itu krim merkuri?

According to the WHO, mercury is a common but dangerous ingredient in some skin lightening creams and soaps. Mercury salts stop the skin from making melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, so the skin looks lighter. Some products contain far more than the international limit of 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) to make the whitening effect stronger.

The WHO notes that mercury-containing skin lightening products are banned in many countries but are still advertised and sold online, through social media and in informal markets. In Malaysia, mercury is a scheduled poison, and selling cosmetics that contain it breaches the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

Latest KKM warnings (2026)

In 2026, KKM cancelled the notification of two creams within five weeks for containing scheduled poisons:

on 1 October 2026, a skin cream was banned after it was found to contain mercury;
on 24 August 2026, a soothing cream was banned after it was found to contain hydroquinone.

Both products had been legally notified before the problem was found, and both can no longer be sold in Malaysia. KKM advised anyone using them to stop immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional if they have any discomfort or side effects. The names of banned products are listed on the NPRA website (see below).

The problem is not new. In a study of 104 whitening products bought in the Malaysian market, researchers from Universiti Malaya found that:

15.4% contained mercury above the 1 ppm limit, at levels from 1.81 ppm to more than 838,000 ppm;
none of the products listed mercury as an ingredient;
14 of the 16 high-mercury products were not registered in the NPRA system;
half of the high-mercury products were already on the NPRA list of banned products, yet were still being sold.

Bahaya merkuri pada kulit dan badan

The WHO lists mercury among the top ten chemicals of major public health concern. Even small amounts may cause serious health problems. According to the WHO, the mercury in skin lightening creams and soaps can cause:

Area	Possible effects (WHO)
Skin	Rashes, discolouration and scarring; lower resistance to bacterial and fungal skin infections
Kidneys	Kidney damage, including nephrotic syndrome (high levels of protein in the urine)
Nerves and brain	Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy); tremors, memory problems and headaches have been reported with mercury exposure
Mental health	Anxiety, depression and psychosis

The WHO describes reported cases, including a 34-year-old woman who developed nephrotic syndrome after using a skin lightening cream. Her mercury levels returned to normal after she stopped using it. For more on kidney health, see our guide to sakit buah pinggang.

Tanda krim mungkin mengandungi merkuri

You usually cannot tell whether a cream contains mercury by looking at it or smelling it. These warning signs can help:

Mercury on the label. The WHO says to look for names such as mercury, Hg, mercuric iodide, mercury oxide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury or mercury iodide.
Jewellery warnings. Instructions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber, aluminium or jewellery may point to mercury, according to the WHO.
No notification number, or a number that does not match the product on the NPRA website.
Unregistered products. In the Malaysian study, most high-mercury creams were not registered with NPRA.
Very fast, dramatic whitening. Mercury is added because it lightens skin strongly, so promises of instant results from an unverified seller are a red flag.

Remember that, as the Malaysian study found, products containing mercury often do not list it. A clean-looking label is not proof that a product is safe.

Cara semak status KKM dan NPRA

Every cosmetic product sold in Malaysia must be notified to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) under KKM. To check a product:

Find the notification number on the box or label. According to NPRA, the format is NOTyymmxxxxxK: “NOT”, then the year and month, a serial number and the letter K.
Search the product on the NPRA website using its name or notification number, and make sure the product name and company match.
Check the cancellation list. NPRA publishes a list of cancelled notified cosmetic products under its Safety Information section. If your product is on it, stop using it.

A NOT number is not a guarantee. Under NPRA rules, the company that notifies a product is responsible for making sure it meets the regulations, and a notification is valid for 2 years. As the 2026 cases show, KKM can cancel a notification later if testing finds a banned ingredient, so it is worth checking the cancellation list from time to time. For supplements, which use a different registration system, see our guide to verifying KKM and Halal status.

Sudah guna krim merkuri? What to do

If you have been using a cream that is on the NPRA cancellation list, or that you suspect contains mercury:

Stop using it straight away, as KKM advises.
See a doctor, especially if you have a rash or other skin changes, numbness or tingling, tremors, or changes in mood or memory. Tell the doctor which product you used and for how long, and bring it with you if you can.
Get tested if advised. According to the WHO, mercury exposure can be measured in blood and urine.
Think about others at home. A Malaysian review notes that mercury from these products can affect people who live with the user, not only the user, so mention this to your doctor.

A review by researchers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia notes that stopping the product is the main treatment, and that medicines to remove mercury from the body (chelation therapy) are usually only needed for people with symptoms. In the cases reported by the WHO, mercury levels fell back to normal after the cream was stopped, and many people with kidney problems recovered.

Hydroquinone and other banned ingredients

Mercury is not the only concern. The WHO notes that skin lightening products without mercury may contain other hazardous substances, such as hydroquinone. According to KKM:

products containing hydroquinone are classified as medicines, not cosmetics, and must be registered with the Drug Control Authority before they can be sold;
they should only be used on the advice and under the supervision of a healthcare professional;
unsupervised use may cause unwanted changes in skin colour and sensitive skin.

If a doctor prescribes a cream containing hydroquinone, use it exactly as directed.

Pregnancy and young children

According to the WHO, mercury is a particular threat to a child in the womb and early in life, and KKM warns that it can interfere with the brain development of young or unborn children. If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or caring for young children:

avoid unregistered or unverified whitening creams and soaps;
stop any product on the NPRA cancellation list and tell your doctor or midwife if you have used one;
keep creams out of reach of children.

For dark patches on the face during pregnancy, see our guide to jeragat (melasma) for safer options.

For sellers and resellers

If you sell skincare, including part-time or as a dropship agent, note that KKM says that selling and distributing a cancelled product breaches the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984:

	First offence	Subsequent offence
Individuals	Fine up to RM25,000, up to 3 years’ jail, or both	Fine up to RM50,000, up to 5 years’ jail, or both
Companies	Fine up to RM50,000	Fine up to RM100,000

Before you sell a product, check its notification number and the NPRA cancellation list, and stop selling immediately if it is cancelled.

Safer ways to care for uneven skin tone

Uneven skin tone, dark spots and dullness are common, and there are safer ways to care for them:

Use sunscreen every day; see our guide to jeragat (melasma) for how sun affects dark patches.
Keep your routine simple and gentle, and avoid stacking many strong actives; see our guide to kulit kering for barrier-friendly skincare.
Buy from trusted sellers and check the notification number before you buy.
See a doctor or dermatologist for stubborn pigmentation, so that any stronger treatment is used safely.

For tips on spotting fake products, see our guide to spotting fake skin brightening products.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Apa bahaya krim merkuri (what are the dangers of mercury cream)?

According to the WHO, the mercury in skin lightening creams and soaps can cause kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discolouration and scarring, lower resistance to bacterial and fungal skin infections, anxiety, depression, psychosis and nerve damage. KKM warns that mercury can also interfere with the brain development of young or unborn children.

How do I know if my cream contains mercury?

You usually cannot tell by looking. The WHO says to check labels for names such as mercury, Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride or ammoniated mercury, and warnings to avoid contact with silver, gold or jewellery. But in a Malaysian study, none of the creams found to contain mercury listed it as an ingredient, so check the product's notification status with NPRA and avoid unregistered products.

How do I check if a cosmetic is registered with KKM (cara semak produk KKM)?

Cosmetics sold in Malaysia must be notified to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). Look for a notification number in the format NOT followed by numbers and the letter K, and search for the product on the NPRA website. Also check the NPRA list of cancelled notified cosmetic products before buying or continuing to use a cream.

Does a NOT number mean the cream is safe?

Not always. A notification number shows the product was notified to NPRA, but KKM has cancelled notifications after testing found mercury or other scheduled poisons. In 2026, both creams banned by KKM within five weeks had been legally notified before the problem was found. Check the cancellation list regularly and stop using any product that has been cancelled.

What should I do if I have been using a mercury cream?

Stop using it straight away and see a doctor, as KKM advises, especially if you have any discomfort, a rash or other symptoms. A doctor can check mercury levels in your blood or urine. According to the WHO and a Malaysian review, stopping the product is the main treatment, and in reported cases mercury levels returned to normal after the cream was stopped.

Is mercury cream dangerous during pregnancy?

Yes. KKM warns that mercury can interfere with the brain development of unborn and young children, and the WHO says mercury is a particular threat to a child in the womb and early in life. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or caring for young children, avoid unregistered whitening products and stop any product on the NPRA cancellation list.

Is hydroquinone allowed in cosmetics in Malaysia?

No. According to KKM, products containing hydroquinone are classified as medicines and must be registered with the Drug Control Authority before they can be sold. They should only be used on the advice and under the supervision of a healthcare professional, because unsupervised use may cause unwanted skin colour changes and sensitive skin.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Always check the latest product status on the NPRA website. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

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