Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai's food and drug authority comforted local consumers by saying that cosmetic products available on the city's market are generally safe, and it’s closely monitoring the cosmetic brands SK-II, Clinique, Dior, Estee Lauder and Lancome.
Shanghai Food & Drug Administration made this remark in response to the panic among Chinese consumers, which was triggered by the recent media reports that the products made by the world's five leading cosmetic companies contain harmful chemicals.
Earlier this month, China's quality watchdog discovered trace amounts of chromium and neodymium, two substances that can cause skin allergies and other health problems, in several popular SK-II skin care products, including its whitening agents and facial creams. All of the problematic products were made by Procter & Gamble Co in Japan.
Last weekend, the Hong Kong Standards and Testing Center reported that heavy metal elements such as chromium and neodymium were found in products sold by Clinique, Dior, Estee Lauder and Lancome.