The ministry of health prevented (Baly) and (Pohli) creams which are used for skin whitening, and ordered to withdraw them from local pharmacies, Etara shops ( shops for selling spices, perfumes and other traditional products), and even their agents, because they contain a large amount of poisonous mercury. In( pohly ) cream the amount reaches ( 38796) part of million, and (3000)part of million in ( Baly). These two products causes severe damages for their users beside that they are not registered in the health ministry.
D. Riyadh bin Mohammed Alashban, the general manager of the drug and food central laboratory in the health ministry declared that the lab workers discovered the addition of mercury in these two products for marketing reasons; since its known for its strong effect in whitening the skin. However its poisonous effects are grater than its benefits as it causes liver and kidney damages and it is easily absorbed by the skin.
Alashban declared that the survey which was made by the central laboratory included specimens of products sold in beautification centers, and revealed that all specimens do not identify with the Saudi specifications and measurements that relate to cosmetics because they do not contain the ingredients, the day of manufacture and expiry, the patch number, the place of manufacture and the manufacturing company. He stated that these cosmetics are made in the beautification centers by using products existed in the local market and then sold with high prices pretending that they are whitening skin creams however they contain a large amount of poisonous mercury.

The source: Arriyadh news paper.