Several popular exfoliating facial cleansers were found to contain a carcinogenic substance, while others failed to meet pH standards that could trigger skin irritation, according to a new test report released by the Consumer Council.
The consumer watchdog said tests on 25 exfoliating face wash products, priced between HK$29 and HK$450, revealed that three samples contained 1,4-dioxane, a substance classified as carcinogenic. Another three products were found to have pH values below the Mainland standard, which may increase the risk of allergic reactions.
The council noted that the levels of common exfoliating ingredients, including alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and salicylic acid, complied with relevant Mainland safety standards across all tested samples.
However, 1,4-dioxane was detected in three products—Muji’s Face Soap-Scrub, BCL’s AHA by Cleansing Research 3in1, and Detclear’s Fruits Peeling Jelly.
While the detected levels in all three products were within the Mainland’s regulatory limits, the level found in the Detclear product exceeded the recommended threshold set by the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
In response, the supplier and manufacturer of Detclear said the EU SCCS does not specify pH requirements for alpha-hydroxy acids used in the product and emphasized that the cleanser complies with Japan’s relevant safety standards. They also clarified that benzyl alcohol was not intentionally added and said they had submitted supporting documentation to the Consumer Council.
The council noted that potential health risks are mitigated by the nature of face wash products, which have short contact times with the skin and are rinsed off immediately after use, resulting in minimal skin absorption.
Nevertheless, it encouraged manufacturers to further improve production processes and raw material selection to minimize or eliminate the presence of 1,4-dioxane as far as possible.
Separately, the pH values of three products—Detclear’s Fruits Peeling Jelly, Watsons’ Collagen Moisturising Purifying Peeling Cleanser, and Rosette’s Gommage Bright Peel—were found to fall below Mainland standards.
The council warned that products with excessively low pH levels may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, while products with overly high pH could damage the skin barrier and increase sensitivity risks. Consumers were advised to pay attention to product suitability, particularly those with sensitive skin.
