Jakarta, April 22 -- The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) released findings of 16 cosmetic products containing harmful and prohibited substances in response to a recent rise in the circulation of illegal cosmetics.

"In the findings of cosmetics containing harmful and banned substances, 10 are cosmetic items produced under contract manufacturing, while the other six items are imported," BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar noted in the agency's statement received here on Tuesday.

These products were discovered during BPOM's inspection between January and March 2025.

Ikrar explained that sampling and testing revealed the 16 items contained harmful and illegal substances, such as mercury, retinoic acid, hydroquinone, lead, and Red K10 dye.

"C...