The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) secures dozens of cosmetic and skincare products each year that are found to contain banned and hazardous ingredients. This year, BPOM uncovered 23 products containing mercury, retinoic acid, hydroquinone, red dyes K3 and K10, as well as acid orange 7. Such harmful substances in cosmetic and skincare products pose serious risks to users.
Responding to the issue, Professor Hardyanto Soebono, a dermatologist and senior faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), shared his insights.
He emphasized that cosmetic products must undergo a licensing process and may only be circulated after meeting regulatory requirements.
“One of BPOM’s duties is to supervise the distribution of medicines and cosmetics. In the field, if they find cosmetic products containing hazardous substances, they must prohibit them,” said Professor Soebono at FK-KMK UGM on Tuesday (Nov. 18).
Explaining why dangerous cosmetics must be banned, Professor Soebono noted that prolonged use can seriously harm the body.
For instance, mercury, which is commonly used in skin-whitening products, can cause kidney damage.
Similarly, hydroquinone-based whitening products pose significant risks.
Excessive use can severely irritate the skin, causing burns.
“Using high doses can burn the skin, and prolonged use can make the skin turn darker. Dark spots may form due to hydroquinone buildup beneath the skin,” the dermatologist explained.
Professor Soebono added that some early signs or symptoms can appear in individuals who use harmful cosmetic products.
Products containing hydroquinone, for example, may whiten the skin instantly, but will later cause darkening.
“Hydroquinone may initially work well as a whitening agent, but if used for more than two months, the skin will actually become darker due to hydroquinone deposition beneath the skin,” he said.
He expressed concern that, despite clear evidence of harm, many beauty companies continue to use dangerous ingredients to maximize profits.
Therefore, he offered several tips to help consumers avoid hazardous cosmetic products.
First, consumers should check the product packaging for a BPOM registration code.
Second, consult a dermatologist for any skin concerns.
Third, broaden knowledge and awareness about cosmetic use.
“Education is crucial to avoid long-term side effects of cosmetics because there are now thousands of cosmetic products available,” he stressed.
Professor Soebono hopes the public will better understand proper cosmetic use.
He noted that beauty product advertisements on social media easily influence many young people today without paying attention to the ingredients.
The right beauty product, he said, matches a person’s skin type, and most importantly, individuals should understand their own skin.
People must recognize whether their skin is dry, oily, or combination.
“If you have oily skin, avoid oil-based cosmetics. For dry skin, use moisturizers, and also apply sunscreen during the day as needed. There is no need to overuse products, just adjust them to your skin type,” he added.
Author: Salwa
Editor: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Illustration: Freepik.com