THE IMPACT OF HAZARDOUS COSMETICS ON SKIN HEALTH: HYDROQUINONE CONTENT IN ONLINE WHITENING CREAMS

Abstract

Hydroquinone is an effective skin-lightening agent; however, its use in cosmetics has been banned by the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) because of health risks such as skin irritation, exogenous ochronosis, and potential carcinogenic effects. Despite these regulations, numerous illegal skin-whitening products containing hydroquinone are still widely available, particularly through online marketplaces. Therefore, reliable testing methods are essential for detecting hydroquinone in skin-whitening creams. This study aimed to identify hydroquinone in whitening creams obtained from various online sources using a qualitative test with Potassium Iodide (KI) as a reagent. This study employed a simple qualitative testing method using a 0.5 N KI reagent. A 2-gram sample of the whitening cream was dissolved in chloroform, followed by the addition of a 3:1 mixture of HCl and HNO?. The filtrate was then tested by adding the KI reagent,  where the formation of an orange-red or yellow precipitate indicated the presence of hydroquinonethe presence of hydroquinone. The results showed that one sample from an online marketplace tested positive for hydroquinone, whereas the other samples showed negative results. The product containing hydroquinone lacked a BPOM registration number, indicating that unregulated cosmetic products continue to circulate without adequate oversight. This study confirms the prevalence of illegal whitening creams containing hydroquinone. The uncontrolled use of hydroquinone poses significant health risks, necessitating stricter regulatory enforcement by the BPOM and increased consumer awareness to ensure the safe selection of cosmetic products.

Keywords: Hydroquinone, whitening cream, Potassium Iodide, BPOM regulation, cosmetic safety.