Applied cream to remove a mole but caused skin necrosis... Chaos in Japan over 'Ali Direct Purchase' cream

Cream Sold on China's 'AliExpress'
'Jeom Cream' with pH Level 14... Equivalent to Lye

In Japan, a controversy has arisen after cases of skin necrosis occurred from using a so-called 'mole removal cream' purchased from Chinese online shopping malls.

The photo is not related to any specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Getty Images Bank]

On the 18th, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC) reported that five cases of chemical burns were reported after applying the 'mole ointment' cream, which has been selling well through SNS advertisements, to the face.

The product is a grayish cream formulation that is highly popular on social networking services (SNS). The manufacturer promotes that applying the product removes moles, spots, and warts. This product is also sold on 'AliExpress,' a Chinese direct purchase site, so Korean consumers are advised to be cautious.

Among the five adverse reaction cases reported in Japan, four involved severe skin damage.

One woman in her 70s suffered partial skin necrosis after applying the cream to a mole on her forehead in May. Another woman in her 70s reported feeling an immediate burning pain and sustaining skin burns after applying the cream to a mole on her face in June.

After NCAC recalled and tested the cream, it was found to be strongly alkaline with a pH level of 14. Water has a neutral pH of 7, but when the pH rises above 7, corrosiveness increases. This cream has corrosiveness comparable to lye water.

'Spot Removal Cream' sold on AliExpress.
[Photo by Japan Consumer Affairs Center]

Additionally, the main ingredients of the cream were identified as calcium oxide and sodium hydroxide. Calcium oxide generates heat when it reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and is used in acidic waste gas capture, seawater magnesia production, and disinfection. As a strongly alkaline substance, it damages skin and mucous membranes and can be life-threatening even by inhalation.

Sodium hydroxide is a representative strong base that releases binding energy as heat when dissolved in water, becoming very hot. It is mainly used in cleaners and lye water and requires caution as it can dissolve skin.

NCAC warned, "This cream can cause severe skin damage and serious eye injuries if it gets into the eyes," and urged, "Avoid purchasing unverified medicines or cosmetics on SNS."

Products that appear when searching for 'spot cream' on AliExpress.
[Photo by AliExpress]

Meanwhile, despite the controversy over the side effects of the 'mole removal cream,' products made with related ingredients are still openly sold on AliExpress.

As of 6 p.m. on the 18th, searching for 'mole removal cream' on AliExpress displayed over 1,000 products, most of which are sold without medical verification. Since AliExpress is a major direct purchase site with over 6 million monthly Korean users, there is a possibility of similar harm occurring domestically from purchasing such products.