A woman sells instant skin whitening cream on social media - Photo: TH screenshot
And with just a few steps of ordering online, users can buy many types of mixed creams with "miraculous" skin whitening effects in a few days, sold by the kilo. However, the quality is "a matter of luck".
Use white!
Selling mixed cream online is becoming more and more popular again, with just a few hundred thousand dong, anyone can "start a business" by selling "divine" mixed cream. Many TikTokers said they quit their jobs to sell mixed cream because they were "burning out" of orders.
According to current records, the advertising and sale of mixed creams (mixed body creams) with the catchphrase "use it and you will be white" is widespread on all social networking platforms. With just a few steps, these products can be delivered to the hands of users.
When typing the keyword "mixed cream" on TikTok, there are hundreds, thousands of results returned by sellers with catchy advertisements, enough "miraculous" whitening effects but the selling price is only from a few tens to a few hundred thousand Dong.
A nearly two-minute video of a TikTok TM account selling "X5 Whitening Body Screan" cream. This woman sits in front of a large white cream tub, continuously stirring the pre-mixed cream tub and using a spoon to pour the cream into the jar. According to the advertisement, this cream can "handle" all skin types such as dark skin, calloused skin, thin and weak skin.
According to the advertisement, each jar of cream weighs 1kg and is advertised to contain alphabutin x5 whitening agent, nourishing oil, sunscreen with a selling price of more than 300,000 VND/kg, customers buy 1kg and get 1kg free. Notably, according to the advertisement, it can be used for children from 13 years old and up, pregnant women, nursing mothers... apply twice a day.
Similarly, TP account sells and wholesales "Strong body bleaching" cream packaged in 1kg, 3kg, 5kg bags... with the selling price of 250,000 - 500,000 VND. On the outside of these cream bags, there is no information about the production date or ingredients, only the shop's logo.
Anyone who wants to buy wholesale cream to open a system can contact this account directly. There is always stock available, buy and decant into small jars to sell.
Poisoning and cancer
Talking to Tuoi Tre, Dr. Le Thao Hien - Department of Dermatology, Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital - said that cosmetics before being put on the market need to go through a process of research, testing and production according to certain standards. Therefore, mixing many types of creams and cosmetics yourself is not advisable.
When mixing yourself, the active ingredients in the creams can interact with each other, reducing the effectiveness or, more dangerously, increasing toxicity or allergic reactions when used. In addition, mixing yourself will not ensure the sterile process. Harmful bacteria and fungi can penetrate and cause skin infections.
According to Dr. Hien, fake cosmetics, products of unknown origin or self-mixed creams often contain harmful substances such as strong anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, skin-peeling substances, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.), industrial colorants, fragrances with concentrations exceeding the prescribed level, along with prohibited or excessive preservatives, harmful bacteria and fungi.
Therefore, when used, it causes immediate consequences such as irritant contact dermatitis (red, sore skin immediately after application), allergic contact dermatitis (red, itchy, blistered skin, appearing a few days after application), acute infection caused by fungi or bacteria (pustules with pain or itching, appearing a few days after application).
In addition, when used for a long time, the skin will become thin and blood vessels will be exposed due to the cream mixed with strong anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and high concentrations of peeling substances. At the same time, the skin will become darker due to long-term use of mixed creams containing strong pigment inhibitors such as strong corticosteroids and high concentrations of hydroquinone. Users can even be poisoned and develop cancer because of some substances that may be present in mixed creams.
Use cosmetics of known origin
Doctor Lu Huynh Thanh Thao, deputy head of the cosmetic dermatology department at the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, also said that mixed creams contain corticoid (a dangerous ingredient for the skin), which has the effect of whitening the skin quickly, effectively within a few days or weeks.
Long-term use will cause skin atrophy, dilated capillaries, increased sensitivity to light; melasma recurs more strongly when stopping use; increased risk of skin infection due to decreased immunity.
Doctor Hien recommends that when you need to use cosmetics, you should pay attention to choosing cosmetics with clear origins: prioritize products with reputable brands, certified by official inspection organizations. You can look up the product declaration number to confirm.
Buy cosmetics at trusted places such as pharmacies, genuine cosmetics stores, large distribution systems, and shopping malls. Check that the packaging is clearly printed, not blurred, peeled, or misspelled.
Check the label for complete information about the manufacturer, place of manufacture, expiry date, ingredients, and uses. Look up and learn about the ingredients in cosmetics to see if they are safe. If in doubt, consult a dermatologist.
A quick cosmetic test can only check for immediate irritation or allergic reactions, not for infections or poisoning. Test cosmetics before use, such as: applying cosmetics to a small area of skin such as the back of the neck or the inside of the wrist for 24-48 hours to see if there are any signs of allergies (signs of suspected allergies: itching, burning, redness, blisters).
Skin whitening cream is sold widely on social networks by the kilo, buy 1kg get 1kg free - Photo: TH screenshot
Breaking up fake cosmetics ring, tons of mixed creams
Tay Ninh Provincial Police said they are continuing to expand the investigation into the counterfeit goods production case after seizing hundreds of products and equipment for producing fake cosmetics carried out by LTMD (34 years old, residing in Ninh Son ward, Tay Ninh) and NTT (33 years old, residing in Duong Minh Chau commune, Tay Ninh).
At 11am on June 13, the police coordinated with the Tay Ninh Province Market Management Department to inspect a car hired by D. to transport goods to Ho Chi Minh City. The inspection team discovered that the car was carrying 32 cardboard boxes containing mixed cosmetics and creams inside, weighing 1.2 tons.
Continuing to inspect D.'s house and warehouse in Ninh Son ward, the authorities discovered 20 more plastic barrels containing chemicals, 10 white bags of 50kg chemicals, 100 bottles of various chemicals containing solutions, and 200kg of cosmetics that were mixed cream products.
Through investigation, D. confessed that since 2020, he had started making fake cosmetics for sale. The ingredients for making skin care creams D. mainly used were fragrances, chemical powders of unknown origin, alum powder, solvents... bought illegally on the market. After the skin whitening creams were finished, D. delivered them to T. for 50,000 - 100,000 VND per kilogram depending on the type.
Then T. continues the process of labeling, selling on e-commerce platforms or transferring to consumers through shipping services. The price T. sells to consumers is 200,000 - 650,000 VND per kilo.
Let the quality float, no one checks
Most of the mixed creams sold online are of questionable quality, no one or agency has verified them.
Recently, a 48-year-old female patient from Long An came to the Dermatology Hospital (HCMC) for examination with thin skin, visible blood vessels, dark skin, and a rash of red pimples all over her face.
When asked about the patient, it was learned that the woman's facial skin became dark after hearing an advertisement online about a set of instant skin whitening cosmetics priced at nearly 5 million VND, so she bought it and used it.
After a week of application, the skin pigmentation reduced. She continued to apply the treatment and after three months, her skin became itchy, red, showed blood vessels and the pigmentation flared up more severely. Upon admission, the doctor noted that the patient had an acne rash with skin atrophy, telangiectasia and pigmentation flare-up.
The patient was treated with systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatory light therapy, and topical medications for one month. After more than six months of skin-restoring nutrient injections and laser treatment for varicose veins, the skin condition improved.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/kem-tron-trang-cap-toc-ban-ram-ro-tren-mang-20250701231330237.htm
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