WARNING: FDA warns public against using Chin Chun Su

That familiar pink jar of Chin Chun Su sitting on your dressing table may be putting your health at risk.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning against the purchase and use of “CHIN CHUN SU FACE CREAM PINK LABEL,” an unauthorized cosmetic product associated with one of the most recognizable beauty cream names in the country.

For Filipinos who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, Chin Chun Su was practically a household name. The small pink container with Chinese characters was a familiar sight in homes, beauty stores, and neighborhood markets.

Popular for its advertised skin-whitening and beautifying effects, the cream became a beauty staple long before Korean skincare products and elaborate facial routines became fashionable.

But consumers are now being warned not to let nostalgia compromise their safety.

FDA warns of serious health risks

In Advisory No. 2023-2257, dated October 17, 2023, the FDA identified “CHIN CHUN SU FACE CREAM PINK LABEL” as an unauthorized cosmetic product.

The agency confirmed that the product had no valid Certificate of Product Notification as of October 12, 2023.

Without the required notification, the FDA cannot assure consumers of the product’s quality and safety.

The agency warned that unauthorized cosmetics may contain prohibited ingredients or be contaminated with dangerous heavy metals.

Exposure to unsafe cosmetic products may cause skin irritation, itching, severe allergic reactions, and potentially life-threatening complications, including organ failure.

However, the FDA advisory did not confirm that the identified Chin Chun Su variant actually contained mercury or other specific toxic substances.

Sellers also warned

Under Republic Act No. 9711, the sale, distribution, promotion, and advertising of health products without the required FDA authorization are prohibited.

The FDA warned retailers and distributors against making the unauthorized product available to consumers.

It also directed its regional offices and enforcement units to coordinate with local governments and law enforcement agencies to prevent its continued sale.

Check before you buy or use

Consumers who still have the pink-label Chin Chun Su cream at home are advised to stop using the unauthorized product.

The warning specifically concerns the identified pink-label variant and should not automatically be interpreted as a finding against every product bearing the Chin Chun Su name.

Before purchasing any facial cream, consumers should check its authorization status through the FDA Verification Portal.

For a beauty product remembered by generations of Filipinos, the warning carries a serious message: A familiar name and decades of popularity are no guarantee that a cosmetic product is safe.