New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has ordered three New York companies – Aleena Cosmetics, Axabee Skincare, and Singhcart, LLC – to immediately stop selling skin-lightening creams and other cosmetics that contain unlawful and dangerous levels of mercury. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that the three companies sell dozens of products with mercury concentrations up to 30,000 times greater than the legal limit under state law. Attorney General James is also warning New Yorkers about the risks of illegal elevated mercury levels in skin-lightening products, which can cause neurological damage, kidney and liver harm, skin rashes, or pose serious risks to fetal development.
“Mercury is poison, not a beauty treatment, and no company has any business selling it to consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Products with mercury levels this high are dangerous and illegal. My office is shutting down these unlawful sales to protect consumers throughout New York. We will not let companies profit by endangering New Yorkers’ health.”