Quick answer: India’s drug regulator, CDSCO, has warned the public not to buy or use Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, both labelled “Made in Pakistan”. Its tests found heavy metals beyond permitted limits, and neither cream has an Indian import registration. If you use any whitening cream, check the label for a licence or import registration number, the maker’s address, batch number and dates. No details? Stop using it.
Key takeaways
- The CDSCO public notice is dated 8 September 2026. It says the two creams are unauthorised and may cause toxic effects.
- CDSCO also advises against “such & similar named” products, so look-alike packs are covered too.
- Legal cosmetics sold in India carry a manufacturing licence number (Indian-made) or import registration details (imported).
- Promises like “removes acne, wrinkles, dark spots and dark circles” on one jar are a red flag, not a feature.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What the CDSCO whitening cream notice actually says
- Why heavy metals turn up in fairness products
- 5 label checks to run on any cream in your cupboard
- Safer ways to deal with tan and dark spots
What the CDSCO Whitening Cream Notice Says
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (Cosmetics Division) issued a public health alert dated 8 September 2026. It names two products:
| Product | Labelled origin | CDSCO finding |
|---|---|---|
| Goree Beauty Cream | Made in Pakistan | Unauthorised; heavy metals beyond limits |
| Chandni Whitening Cream | Made in Pakistan | Unauthorised; heavy metals beyond limits |
According to the notice, CDSCO checked these products through “test and analysis”. Neither has a registration certificate for import into India. It says they contain excessive heavy metals that may pose a health risk, “including toxic effects”. It asks consumers not to buy them, and not to use them, or any similarly named product, if they already have one.
The notice doesn’t name which heavy metals were found. News coverage, including The Week, also didn’t list specific metals, so we won’t guess.
Why write about it now? Fairness and “glow” creams sell fast before Diwali and wedding season, often through online listings. Business Today asked how these creams made their way into India at all. So it’s worth checking what’s in your own cupboard.
Why Heavy Metals End Up in Whitening Cream
Heavy metals in skin products aren’t a new problem. The best-known one is mercury. The WHO’s fact sheet on mercury explains that mercury salts lighten skin by suppressing melanin. That’s why some makers add it. It also notes these products are banned in many countries and still get sold online.
The health cost is real. WHO lists kidney damage and nervous system effects among the risks of mercury exposure. Because you rub a cream on daily, often for months, exposure adds up.
To be clear, CDSCO hasn’t said these two creams contain mercury. It said “heavy metals”. But the pattern is the same: a cheap, fast-acting fairness cream with no traceable maker is the type of product most often caught.
5 Whitening Cream Label Checks You Can Do Now
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, cosmetics made in India need a licence from the state licensing authority. Imported cosmetics must be registered with the central licensing authority. Here’s how that shows up on a real label.
1. A licence or registration number. Indian-made creams usually print a manufacturing licence number (often shown as “Mfg. Lic. No.”). Imported creams should show the import registration number and the Indian importer’s name and address. No number at all is the biggest warning sign.
2. A full maker’s address. You should see a real company name and address, not just a brand name and a country.
3. Batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date. These let a product be traced and recalled. Missing dates often mean the pack never went through a proper supply chain.
4. A full ingredient list. Look for an INCI-style list on the pack or carton. A cream that lists nothing, or only “herbal extracts”, tells you nothing.
5. The claims. One of the flagged packs promises to remove acne, wrinkles, pimples, dark spots and dark circles. No single legal cream does all that, and fast “whitening” is exactly what heavy metals are used to fake.
Bought online? Check the seller name too. Very cheap listings of overseas fairness brands, with blurry photos and no importer details, deserve extra doubt. Our skincare sale deal checks cover more red flags.
What to Do If You’ve Used One of These Creams
- Stop using it. That’s CDSCO’s main advice.
- Don’t pass it on. Don’t gift it or hand it to someone else in the family.
- Keep the pack. The label and batch number help if you see a doctor or want to complain.
- See a doctor if you notice symptoms. Unusual rash, burning, skin turning patchy, or any new tiredness, tremor or swelling after long use is worth a check. Tell the doctor which product you used and for how long.
Safer Ways to Even Out Skin Tone
If you were using a fairness cream for tan or dark spots, there are tested, legal options. Daily sunscreen is the base of every routine. Without it, nothing else holds. Ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C and azelaic acid have research behind them for uneven tone and are sold with proper labels in India.
For tan specifically, our guide on removing tan from your face walks through gentle steps. For stubborn pigmentation or melasma, a dermatologist can prescribe treatments that are monitored, unlike an unlabelled jar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whitening Cream Safety
Q: Which whitening cream did CDSCO ban?
CDSCO’s 8 September 2026 notice flags Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, both labelled “Made in Pakistan”. It calls them unauthorised and says they contain heavy metals beyond limits.
Q: Are all whitening creams unsafe?
No. The notice covers these two products and similar named ones. A cream with a licence or import registration number, full address, batch and dates, and an ingredient list is far more likely to be legitimate.
Q: How do I know if a cream has mercury?
You can’t tell by looking. Labels rarely list it. That’s why the label checks above matter: untraceable products are where heavy metals usually turn up.
Q: Can I report a suspicious cream?
Yes. You can raise it with your state drugs control department or through CDSCO. Keep the pack and bill as proof.
The Bottom Line
CDSCO’s alert is about two named creams, but the lesson is wider. A whitening cream with no licence number, no real address and miracle claims isn’t worth the risk to your skin or your kidneys. Spend two minutes on the label before the next jar goes on your face.
Save this checklist, share it with family members who buy fairness creams online, and follow SkincareWala.in on WhatsApp for safety alerts that matter to Indian skin.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice.