Heavy Metal Testing: Safety in Cosmetic Products

What are the Heavy Metals Found in Cosmetic Products? What are the Hazards?

Heavy Metal in Cosmetics

Heavy metals used in cosmetic products to increase stability and permanence cause health problems in the human body. They accumulate in the body, especially in prolonged contact with the skin, and can cause premature aging, cancer, reproductive and developmental problems.

Various cosmetic products, especially foods, can also cause heavy metal accumulation. Heavy metals cause health problems in the long term. Heavy metals can enter the human body in many ways.

Heavy Metals Used in Cosmetics

Heavy metals such as Aluminum, Copper, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Zinc, Iron, Gallium, Silver, Tin, Calcium, Cobalt, Chromium, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Cesium, Sodium, Strontium, Thallium, Tellurium, Vanadium are tested.

Heavy metals have various damages to the human body. Lead causes health problems in many organs and systems, including the central nervous system, kidneys and hematopoietic system. Arsenic and cadmium are recognized as Group 1 human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Mercury is present in different forms depending on the amount of dermal or oral ingestion. It has a toxic effect. Antimony adversely affects the skin, lungs, cardiovascular system and liver in case of overdose.

Where Are Heavy Metal Tests Performed in Cosmetics?

One of the basic analyzes performed in cosmetic laboratories is the “Heavy Metal Test”. Laboratories that perform heavy metal analysis should generally be accredited laboratories that perform testing procedures. Cosmetic laboratories that perform heavy metal testing in accordance with the guidelines published under the cosmetic regulation should be preferred.

Due to the damages of heavy metals, the demand for natural or organic products in cosmetic products is increasing.

How is Heavy Metal Testing Performed?

Heavy metal testing in cosmetic products is usually performed by chemical analysis in analytical laboratories. These tests enable the determination of heavy metals contained in products at various stages (raw material, production process, final product). Common test methods include:

1. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS): AAS is a widely used technique for the determination of heavy metals. In this method, the sample is heated over a fire and the concentration of metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic is determined by measuring their density.
2. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): This method is particularly sensitive for the detection of metals at low levels. ICP-MS enables the detection of lead, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals with high accuracy.
3. Voltammetric Methods: This method is widely used, especially for the detection of mercury and lead. With this method using electrodes, the presence and amount of heavy metals are determined by analyzing the electro-chemical properties of the samples.
4. Chromatography Methods: Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze heavy metal ions. It provides accurate separation of heavy metals, usually in more complex samples.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Heavy Metal Testing. We also provide services in Soap Analysis.

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