A REPORT released by the Shenzhen Consumer Council on Monday showed that six out of 30 facial masks tested contained trace amounts of heavy metals, but the metal content was within national standards, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

    According to the report, 83 percent of people interviewed during the survey said they use facial masks. Based on the preferred brands of those surveyed, the council tested 30 kinds of masks from 25 brands.

    Tested brands included Magic, Chando, My Beauty Diary, Fancl, Laneige and Olay.

    Six masks were found to contain trace amounts of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and arsenic, but the metal content was well within national standards and European Union standards.

    These masks were produced by six brands: Inoherb, Proya, Chando, SK-II, Olay and My Beauty Diary.

    Twenty-eight masks tested contained up to five types of preservatives frequently used in the production of cosmetics. The amount of preservatives used were also within national limits. Fancl and Laneige were the only two brands that didn’t have preservatives in their masks.

    According to the council, consumers should not reuse facial masks.

    (Zhang Yang)