Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health has ordered the recall of 107 batches of Lynshao whitening, anti-acne, and dark-spot cream after authorities found dexamethasone in the product. The company behind the cream, Long Phụng Khang Cosmetics, has also had its cosmetics manufacturing eligibility certificate suspended for two months.
Product Recall and Penalties
The enforcement action followed an earlier nationwide recall request from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health after testing in Quảng Ngãi found dexamethasone in a 12-gram Lynshao jar. Local authorities later said the manufacturer no longer met cosmetics production conditions and had produced a product containing a banned substance.
Authorities fined the company VND 165 million, or about $6,500, and ordered it to recall and destroy all products made between January 6 and December 29, 2025, equivalent to 107 batches. The company must also return 31 cosmetic product declaration receipt numbers used during that period.
Ingredient Compliance Risk
Vietnamese health authorities said dexamethasone is a strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive ingredient that is sometimes misused in cosmetics to create rapid whitening and smoothing effects. They warned that prolonged exposure can cause skin thinning, dilated capillaries, acne, fungal infection, and wider systemic complications.
For beauty brands and distributors, the case underlines the compliance risk around whitening and acne products in Vietnam’s fast-growing cosmetics market, particularly where claims are tied to undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients.
