Abstract
The wide range and complexity of cosmetic formulations currently available on the market poses a challenge from an analytical point of view. In addition, during cosmetics manufacture, impurities coming from raw materials or formed by reaction of different organic compounds present in the formulation may be present. Their identification is mandatory to assure product quality and consumer health. In this work, micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion (μMSPD) is proposed as a multi-target sample preparation strategy to analyze a wide number of unexpected families of compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, plasticizers, nitrosamines, alkylphenols (APs), and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs). Analytical determination was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of 51 target compounds in a single run, whereas liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed for the analysis of six APs and APEOs. Both methodologies were successfully validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, and precision in leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics. Limits of detection (LODs) were calculated in the low ng g−1, showing their suitability to determine trace levels of impurities and banned compounds with different chemical natures, providing useful tools to cosmetic control laboratories and companies.
Highlights
Cosmetics are complex matrices made up of large numbers and types of chemical compounds
Cosmetics analysis methodology was based on liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC), offering both techniques robustness and a high-resolution power
alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) in cosmetics and personal care products are reported in the literature since nonionic surfactants analysis represents a much higher level of complexity than other types of surfactants because several hundreds of individual substances may occur in a mixture [28]
Summary
Cosmetics are complex matrices made up of large numbers and types of chemical compounds. In Europe, the Regulation EC 1223/2009 establishes rules to be complied with by any cosmetic product made available on the market, to ensure the functioning of the internal market and a high level of protection of human health [1]. In this way, the banned compounds and those restricted in terms of maximum permitted concentration are displayed in the different annexes (II and III, respectively) of the Regulation, which is in continuous review and update since its introduction [2]. A European Commission implementation decision [4] clearly states that the presence of traces of prohibited substances and impurities must remain at a level that is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) following Good Manufacturing
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