Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy

Abstract

Cosmetics with high water content are at a risk of being contaminated by micro-organisms that can alter the composition of the product or pose a health risk to the consumer. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are frequently found in contaminated cosmetics. In order to avoid contamination of cosmetics, the manufacturers add preservatives to their products. In the EU and the USA, cosmetics are under legislation and all preservatives must be safety evaluated by committees. There are several different preservatives available but the cosmetic market is dominated by a few preservatives: parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone.Allergy to preservatives is one of the main reasons for contact eczema caused by cosmetics. Concentration of the same preservative in similar products varies greatly, and this may indicate that some cosmetic products are over preserved. As development and elicitation of contact allergy is dose dependent, over preservation of cosmetics potentially leads to increased incidences of contact allergy. Very few studies have investigated the antimicrobial efficiency of preservatives in cosmetics, but the results indicate that efficient preservation is obtainable with concentrations well below the maximum allowed.

The Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Oils Used as Cosmetics Compounds

“…Th e microbial contamination of cosmetics may result in the deterioration of its quality: delamination, haze, the appearance of a precipitate or changes in consistency and colour. To prevent the contamination of cosmetic products huge amounts of preservatives are used during production processes [Katušin-Ražem, Mihaljević, and Ražem 2003;Paulus 2005;Lundov et al 2009]. Nowadays the cosmetic industry is under immense consumer pressure to produce safe but innovative natural products.…”

“…Th erefore, cosmetic products are tested for the presence of skin pathogens and microorganisms which may be harmful to human health. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that microorganisms such as C. albicans, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were present in cosmetic products [Lundov et al 2009;Detmer, Jørgensen, and Nylén 2010].…”

Occurrence and risk assessment of parabens and triclosan in surface waters of southern Brazil: a problem of emerging compounds in an emerging country

“…Parabens, alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid compounds are widely used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals, personal care products (toothpastes, deodorants, creams, sunscreens, shampoos and bath gels) and food and drink (MEYER et al, 2007;LUNDOV et al, 2009;GONZALEZ-MARINO et al, 2011;ALBERO et al, 2012b;LARSSON et al, 2014;SPANIER et al, 2014). Currently, seven types of parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and benzyl) are commonly used in these commercially available products (SONI; CARABIN; BURDOCK, 2005;BRAUSCH;RAND, 2011).…”

Innovative Use of Jenny Milk from Sustainable Rearing

“…Nowadays, the cosmetic trade is mainly focused towards products made with natural ingredients, and it is oriented to a sustainable consumption without preservatives addition. This has led many companies to increase the use of natural ingredients in existing preparations or to create new products (Lundov et al 2009;Parente et al 2011). Because of their natural origin, milk components correspond in many fields to the needs of cosmetology.…”