Determination of lead and cadmium concentration in cosmetic products in the Saudi market

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the cadmium and lead concentrations in low-price cosmetic products in the Saudi market. An analytical test was performed for 13 cosmetic products (five lipsticks, five foundations, and three eyeliners) using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The lead and cadmium heavy metals were determined as trace minerals in all 13 samples. The mean value for each metal in the three different products was as follows: 0.019532 (lipstick group), 0.020842 (foundation group), 0.026237 (eyeliner group) ppm for cadmium, and 0.032744 (lipstick group), 0.046466 (foundation group), 0.041903 (eyeliner group) ppm for lead. The results also indicated that the lead concentration was higher than cadmium in all samples under investigation. Moreover, the results indicated that the levels of cadmium and lead are affected by the company of the cosmetic products. Also, the results indicated that the cadmium and lead levels were within the allowable FDA values. Regular monitoring of the presence of heavy metals in cosmetic products should be continuously undertaken as these metals are reported to show harmful effects on the human body even in very small amounts.