Unlicensed beauty product causes complications, but the problems go beyond skin-deep

On “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” several users of beauty products branded as Goree have come out to share their experience. While there are those who sing praise for the products, many have also aired complaints: of itchy rashes that creep up all over the body, of difficulty in breathing, another of intense body heat, and still another of fever. One was even rushed to the hospital for complications.

They bought the product for its promise of whiter skin in just a few days, after coming across positive testimonials about the item online.

The Food and Drug Administration Philippines has already issued a warning against Goree products as early as October 2017 because of its high mercury content. The FDA allows less than one part per million, but the Goree creams that they tested have more than one part per million of mercury.

Mercury is a poisonous substance that can cause, among others, skin discoloration, rashes and lowered immune system. Studies also show that exposure to mercury can also cause depression .

Princess Tupas, one of those who came forward, contracted contracted contact dermatitis, a type of skin ailment that occurs when the skin is exposed to allergens.

Princess said she was rushed to the emergency room seven times already because of severe allergy.

“Nag-complicate na dahil ‘yung immune system niya actually bumaba, tapos natagalan lalo ‘yung healing process niya [She experienced complications because her immune system was weakened. Her healing process took longer],” said dermatologist Dr. Mary Jane Torres.

Her liver function had to be monitored because blood tests revealed that she had elevated enzymes, which could mean damage has already been inflicted to the liver.

Another user, Karen Grace Reguyal, told a scarier story: she passed on the allergies to her baby that she was breastfeeding.

"Yun po ang sabi [ng doctor], baka po nahawa sa akin kasi po nagbe-breastfeed ako. Possible po dahil sa lactation or sa skin contact kaya po nahawa si baby [The doctor told me I might have passed on the allergies to my baby either because I was breastfeeding or through contact]," she shared.

Fake Goree products?

Speaking to the program via Skype, Goree representatives said the products in question must be fake.

According to Arslan Tariq, Goree’s General Manager, the product is only available in Pakistan, where it is fully established, and in Dubai. “We are not officially [distributing our products] in your country,” Tariq said.

So how come there are products labeled as Goree in the Philippines? KMJS interviewed Carla*, a sales assistant at a store selling Goree products, who said Goree products, whether real or fake, enter the country through balikbayan boxes, which was also confirmed by the Bureau of Customs.

According to the BOC, cosmetic products without FDA permit are allowable as long as it’s for personal use only. 

Personal use for shampoos, lotions, and soap bars are set to a 2kg limit, while assorted cosmetics have been set to a 2kg limit.

According to Atty. Edward James Dy Buco, Deputy Commissioner at BOC, 6,000 units of products labeled as Goree entered the country through 12 balikbayan boxes as recently as May 24.

On June 8, FDA conducted a surprise raid inspection in Divisoria and found and confiscated products labeled as Goree worth more than P10,000.

KMJS conducted random testings of 13 products labeled as Goree acquired from Divisoria, from an online seller, from Dubai, from a patient and from a seller and all of the products had very high mercury content: between 3.3 PPM to 23,961 PPM to be exact.

Note: The FDA allows less than one part per million.

To make sure no unaccredited cosmetic products enter the country, the Bureau of Customs works closely with regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration.

“Siyempre lagi po naming sinasabi na ingatan natin ang ating mga balat kasi maaari tayong makaranas ng adverse reaction. Ang mas mahirap pa ay maaari tayong mamatay,” said Anayln Ignacio, Food-Drug Regulation Officer II. "Hinihikayat  namin na maging vigilant ang ating mga mamimili at i-check muna sa website ng FDA ang mga produktong kanilang binibili."

[We always advise the public to take precaution of products we apply to our skin. There might be adverse reactions, or worse, we can even die. We encourage the public to be vigilant and check the FDA website for advisories on products they're interested buying]. 

Because whether real or fake, Goree products have not been registered in the country and are therefore not allowed.

"Since wala nga po tayong registered or notified na produktong Goree, wala po tayong basis kung sino po ang authentic at kung sino rin po yung fake na product.

Pero as per our collection, kung ano man po yung produktong na-collect namin mula sa market na tinest namin na nag-positive po sa mercury or sa nakalalasong level ng mercury, yun po yung commitment namin sa consumer, sa public, na kailangan naming iparating sa kanila na itong produktong ito ay delikado sa kalusugan," Ignacio adds.

[Because Goree hasn't been registered, we don't have any basis which product is authentic and which is fake. But whatever product we located and tested, tested positive for toxic levels of mercury. Our commitment to the consumer, to the public is to warn them of products that could be dangerous.]

Lesson learned

Princess, meanwhile, has a word of advice: “Bago po bumili ng product, 'wag lang bumase sa good feedback at kung ano ang trending. Dapat mag-search din kung makakasama ba ang product na iyon sa ating katawan [Before you buy a product, do your research. Don't just base it on feedback or what's popular].”

Skincare routines have been the trend lately and there is nothing wrong with that. But if we're going to want to look better, perhaps we owe it to ourselves to do it the right way — no short cuts and no cheap treatments. — Lou Albano/JST, GMA News