Potential health risks of metals in skin care products used by Chinese consumers aged 19–29 years

Insights into Health Risks of Face Paint Application to Opera Performers: The Release of Heavy Metals and Stage-Light-Induced Production of Reactive Oxygen Species

“…Although regulations regarding permissible levels of HMs (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in cosmetics have been issued in at least 69 countries, products with extremely high concentrations of restricted or unrestricted HMs are still commonly available. In lip cosmetics, 2736 μg Cr/g and 136 μg Cu/g have been reported, and in skin cosmetics 10185 μg Pb/g and 233 μg Zn/g have been reported . Through inadvertent oral ingestion or dermal contact, these HMs may become bioaccessible in body fluids and enter the circulation. , Bioaccessible HMs have been linked to skin inflammation and allergic contact dermatitis. , …”

Investigation on the elemental profiles of lip cosmetic products: Concentrations, distribution and assessment of potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risk for consumer safety

“…Most cosmetics are used multiple times daily over prolonged periods of time. One study revealed that an average of up to twelve cosmetic products are used by women on a daily basis ( Shaaban and Alhajri, 2020 ) and up to six products are used by men daily ( Ficheux et al, 2015 , Meng et al, 2021 ). The cumulative impact of such chronic use must be taken into account when considering the actual exposure to heavy metal contaminants ( Meng et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Heavy metals often become incorporated in cosmetics as a constitutive component of the pigments or preservatives used in compounding the product ( Liu et al, 2013 ; Zakaria and Ho, 2015 ). Cosmetics that contain natural derivatives have been reported to contain even higher levels of heavy metal contaminants ( Klaschka, 2016 , Meng et al, 2021 ). Alternatively heavy metal contamination may be an inadvertent consequence of the manufacturing or packaging process ( Klaschka, 2016 , Meng et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Cosmetics that contain natural derivatives have been reported to contain even higher levels of heavy metal contaminants ( Klaschka, 2016 , Meng et al, 2021 ). Alternatively heavy metal contamination may be an inadvertent consequence of the manufacturing or packaging process ( Klaschka, 2016 , Meng et al, 2021 ). While there are strict guidelines and recommendations that are aimed to regulate the levels of heavy metals in individual cosmetic products, more is required to account for the cumulative nature of cosmetic use given the toxicity profile of the majority of heavy metals present in most products.…”

“…Most heavy metals have been shown to have both carcinogenic and teratogenic effects upon prolonged exposure over long periods of time ( Bocca et al, 2014 , Lim et al, 2018 ). Mercury and lead for example have been shown, upon prolonged maternal exposure, to lead to increased incidence of fetal death ( Brandt et al, 2011 , Meng et al, 2021 ).…”