How to check if cosmetics are safe with Cek KLIK, after BPOM's illegal cream bust

How do you check if cosmetics are safe? The question made headlines in Indonesia this week. On 19 October 2026, BPOM, Indonesia's food and drug authority, announced it had secured an illegal cosmetics production site in Mojokerto, East Java, with products suspected of containing prohibited drug ingredients worth more than Rp16 billion.

This article summarises BPOM's official findings, the risks of the ingredients found, how to use Cek KLIK before buying cosmetics, and a safer routine for concerns such as dark spots.

What BPOM found

• Inspected on 8 October 2026 by officers from the BPOM office in Surabaya, after monitoring and intelligence work.
• Operating since 2021 as a cosmetics production site without a cosmetics business licence.
• Creams, lotions and toners without marketing authorisation, in plain packaging with no labelling.
• Sold to beauty clinics across Indonesia, with turnover of around Rp750 million a month, or about Rp9 billion a year.

BPOM head Taruna Ikrar said that compounded creams containing drug ingredients must be used under a doctor's supervision, because everyone's needs are different. He added that demand for instant results is one reason harmful cosmetics are still widely sold.

Drug ingredients found and their risks

BPOM's laboratory tests on product samples found ingredients that are prohibited in cosmetics. According to BPOM, the risks include:

• Retinoic acid: dry skin, a burning sensation, and harm to the foetus in pregnant women.
• Dexamethasone: contact dermatitis, acne, skin redness, and reduced hormone production.
• Hydroquinone: darkening of the skin, and discolouration of the cornea and nails.
• Mometasone furoate: skin atrophy and disruption of hormone release.

How to check cosmetics with Cek KLIK

BPOM urges consumers to use Cek KLIK before buying or using cosmetics. The name comes from the Indonesian words for:

1. 01Kemasan (packaging): make sure it is in good condition.
2. 02Label: read the product information. Products in plain, unlabelled packaging are a warning sign.
3. 03Izin edar (marketing authorisation): make sure the product is registered with BPOM.
4. 04Kedaluwarsa (expiry): make sure the product has not expired.

BPOM also advises against being tempted by promotions that promise instant results, and recommends buying cosmetics only from trusted sellers.

Suspect illegal cosmetics production or sales? BPOM encourages the public to report it through BPOM's official complaint channels.

A safer alternative: a routine from Kira

Many people buy compounded creams because they want dark spots to fade fast. Kira suggests a routine with ingredients to look for, not drug ingredients. Here is a real Kira result for the question “I have dark spots on my cheeks, how do I get rid of them?”:

• Moisturiser: look for niacinamide and vitamin C.
• Sunscreen: look for SPF 30+.
• Serum: look for alpha arbutin and tranexamic acid.
• Exfoliation: look for azelaic acid.

Kira also suggests avoiding alcohol-based products, harsh scrubs and sun exposure. Kira's suggestions are AI advice, not a medical diagnosis. If the condition is severe or does not improve within 4 weeks, see a dermatologist, and keep using Cek KLIK for every product you buy.

Read our full guides on how to fade dark spots and how to use sunscreen correctly.

Ask Kira which skincare suits you

Send Kira a selfie in natural light on WhatsApp and ask about your skin concern. Kira suggests a routine and the ingredients to look for within 10 to 15 seconds. See the dark spots example.