The Hazards of Hidden Heavy Metals in Face Make-ups

Abstract

As a result of the widespread use of facial makeup many studies were reported for the determination of heavy metals in cosmetic products using different methods and instruments. Several facial cosmetics (powders and eyeliners) available in Sudan were analyzed for their contents of the heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Samples were manufactured in different countries. The quantification of these heavy metals was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analyses were preceded by microwave-assisted acid digestion of the products. The concentrations of the As and Cd are in the range of (2.376-6.796) and (0.2179-0.6179) ppm in the powder products and (1.504-4.084) and (0.1559-0.2959) ppm in the eyeliner products respectively. The Pb average (median) content is 3.288 and 0.0 ppm in the powder and eyeliner products. The mercury wasn't detected in any of the products analyzed. The percentages of the powder products analyzed contain As, Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations above the allowed limits are 81.8, 0.0, 9.1 and 0.0% respectively, but in the eyeliner products 50% of them contain Arsenic concentration above the allowed limit (3.0 ppm).