The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has advised consumers in Singapore to stop using Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream after concerns emerged that the popular skincare product may contain Sudan Red, a prohibited ingredient.
HSA said it has been working with three companies marketing the product in Singapore to suspend sales and arrange for the affected products to be recalled. The regulator has also launched an investigation and will conduct testing to determine whether the product poses a safety concern.
The warning comes after Hong Kong Customs issued a public alert on 24 July 2026 over the same Medicube cream. Authorities there had reportedly found Sudan Red in a sample of the product and urged members of the public to stop using it.
Sudan Red Raises Safety Concerns
Sudan Red refers to a group of industrial dyes that are not permitted for use in cosmetics or food products in many jurisdictions because of potential health concerns, including carcinogenic and allergic effects.
In Singapore, HSA said Sudan Red dyes are prohibited ingredients under the Health Products (Cosmetic Products – ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations 2007. This means cosmetic products containing the substance are not allowed to be supplied locally.
HSA has therefore advised anyone who has purchased the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream to stop using it as a precautionary measure while investigations are ongoing. The agency said it will take appropriate regulatory action if its testing identifies safety concerns.
The product is marketed as a skincare cream containing ingredients such as salmon DNA PDRN, collagen, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Medicube’s own website describes it as a dual-texture cream designed to improve hydration, firmness and uneven skin tone.
Online Listings Still Found In Singapore
The situation has also raised questions over the availability of the product through online shopping platforms.
Checks conducted on 20 August found listings for the Medicube cream on platforms including iHerb, Shopee and Lazada, with some listings indicating that the product remained available for purchase and could be delivered later in August.
Other Singapore-based online retailers have also continued to display the 55g product. Some listings reviewed recently showed prices in the region of S$19 to S$46, depending on the retailer.
Consumers who have the product at home should therefore check their purchases carefully and avoid using it until further information is provided by the relevant authorities or seller.
HSA Clarifies Cosmetic Product Regulations
HSA also reminded consumers that cosmetic products in Singapore are regulated under the Health Products (Cosmetic Products – ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations 2007.
Dealers must notify HSA before placing cosmetic products on the Singapore market. However, HSA stressed that such notification does not mean the product has been approved, certified or registered by the regulator.
Instead, dealers remain responsible for ensuring that their products comply with Singapore’s regulatory requirements. These include restrictions on certain ingredients, appropriate product labelling and reporting serious adverse effects to HSA.
Companies found supplying cosmetic products containing prohibited ingredients can face penalties. HSA said offenders may be liable for a fine of up to S$50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years.
Medicube Says Its Own Testing Found No Sudan Red
Medicube has separately responded to the concerns, saying it conducted testing through third-party laboratories on its PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream.
According to a statement published by the company, tests carried out on 1 August examined the product for Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV, with all four reported as “Not Detected”. Medicube also said the tested samples were products from its authorised production and quality-control processes.
The company further questioned whether the sample tested by Hong Kong authorities could be conclusively linked to products supplied through its authorised distribution network, noting that publicly available information did not identify details such as the batch number and distribution route.
For Singapore consumers, however, HSA’s advice remains straightforward: those who purchased the affected Medicube cream should stop using it as a precaution while the authority carries out its own investigation and testing.
The incident is also a reminder that purchasing skincare products through online marketplaces does not necessarily mean they have received pre-market approval from Singapore’s regulator. HSA’s cosmetic product framework places responsibility on dealers to ensure that products comply with Singapore’s safety and ingredient requirements.