Ammoniated Mercury
Definition
A mercury-ammonia complex (mercuric chloride-ammonia, HgNH2Cl) historically used as a skin-lightening active ingredient. Inhibits melanogenesis by binding to tyrosinase's active-site cysteine. Causes systemic mercury poisoning via percutaneous absorption. Prohibited in the EU (Annex II Entry 221), the US (FDA Import Alert IA-66-01 scope), and India (Cosmetics Rules 2020 Schedule 1).
- Chemical form
- Mercuric chloride-ammonia (HgNH2Cl)
- Mechanism
- Inhibits tyrosinase in melanin synthesis
- Exposure route
- Percutaneous absorption
- Regulatory status
- Banned in EU, US, and India
Common questions
Why does inhibiting tyrosinase lighten skin?+
Tyrosinase is the enzyme that starts melanin production in skin cells, so blocking it reduces new pigment formation, which is the effect the compound was historically marketed for despite the systemic toxicity that comes with the same mechanism.
How is ammoniated mercury detected in a suspect cosmetic product?+
Laboratories typically use techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy or ICP-MS to measure total mercury content in the product, since these methods can quantify trace-to-high mercury levels regardless of which mercury compound is present in the formulation.
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