Are cosmetics based on alpha hydroxy acids safe to use when purchased over the internet?

Abstract

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are used in dermatology for topical treatment of skin disorders. Some regulatory bodies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommended labeling cosmetic products with sunburn alerts and proposed limitations regarding concentrations of AHAs in cosmetic products. In addition, The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel recommended 10% of AHAs in products as the maximal safe concentration. With a rapidly increasing trend of online purchasing of cosmetic products, it is important that their labels convey the necessary warnings and that they be harmonized with regulatory bodies regarding the recommended concentrations of AHAs. The aim of this report was to investigate whether or not the sunburn alert, as well as AHA recommendations mostly used for exfoliating cosmetic products, was visible to consumers during the online purchasing. The compliance with FDA and CIR Expert Panel standards was analyzed in the first 50 cosmetic products obtained after the conducted investigation on the Amazon.com e-commerce company website using the search term "AHA anti-aging." It was found that exfoliating cosmetic products contained AHAs in a broad range of concentrations, from 2.5 up to 70%. Nineteen out of 50 products contained a concentration of AHAs greater than recommended. Twelve products did not contain any data at all regarding the concentration of AHAs. Sunburn alerts were present in 16 out of 50 analyzed product pages. In conclusion, more efforts should be made in providing users with information and the necessity of protection from potential complications after topical AHAs product treatments.