Body Care Products Research Articles

Potential of salt as salt body scrubs to support salt tourism in Pamekasan, Madura Island, East Java

Madura Island is famous as the salt island and surrounded by Madura Strait and Java Sea has the potential for marine tourism development, one of which is a salt tourism in Pamekasan Regency. Dissemination of cosmetic salt (salt body scrub) to salt farmers in Pamekasan has been organized by Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Pamekasan in 2018 so that they have the skill of local salt diversification into added value products. Diversification of salt as body care products (salt body scrub) can be packaged into an education-ecotourism package which is tourist attraction so that salt body scrubs have business potential to support salt tourism. This paper studies the use of unrefined salt as salt body scrubs and is expected to be a reference for coastal communities, especially salt farmers in Pamekasan that is to support salt tourism and increase the added value of local salt.

ORGANIC PERSONAL CARE COSMETICS: BEHAVIOR OF CHOICE AND CONSUMPTION

Background. The researchers have shown that even small doses of some chemical substances in cosmetics, when absorbing and accumulating in the body, can damage the skin and provoke various diseases. Therefore, the choice of organic cosmetics with certified ingredients can contribute to human health and nature conservation.
 The survey aimed to determine behavior of choice and consumption of organic cosmetic products according to the consumers’ socio-demographic characteristics.
 Methods. A quantitative survey was performed, a validated questionnaire and data collection method – a written survey were used. Survey sample – 335 people (38.5 ± 4.07 years old). Data analysis using SPSS 26.0 was performed, calculated percentage frequencies, mean, Pearson’s Chi-Square test to detect statistically significant differences, and Spearman’s correlation was used.
 Results. The study found that more than half of women used organic cosmetics. A significant difference (p <0.05) was found with age, which showed that organic products were used significantly more often by 26–35-year-old individuals and between the sexes (p = 0.05). It was found that facial skincare, body care, and hair care products are the most commonly used, while pregnancy skincare products are the least commonly used. Consumers indicated the reasons for choosing these products: health benefits, natural composition, non-polluting environment during production, and recyclability of packaging. Most often, respondents do not use such cosmetics due to unclear labeling and the higher prices of these products. Sufficient and complete information on the label, a reliable and well-known producer are considered to be the most important identification criteria. In contrast, a special point of sale, clear and attractive promotional/visual information being the least important.

Effects of Kathon, a Chemical Used Widely as a Microbicide, on the Survival of Two Species of Mosquitoes.

In recent decades, demands for novel insecticides against mosquitoes are soaring, yet candidate chemicals with desirable properties are limited. Kathon is a broad-spectrum isothiazolinone microbicide, but other applications remain uncharacterized. First, we treated larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus, two major mosquito vectors of human viral diseases, with Kathon at 15 mg/L (a concentration considered safe in cosmetic and body care products), and at lower concentrations, and found that Kathon treatment resulted in high mortality of larvae. Second, sublethal concentration of Kathon can cause significantly prolonged larval development of C. quinquefasciatus. Third, we explored the effects of two constituents of Kathon, chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), on the survival of larvae, and found that CMIT was the major toxic component. Further, we explored the mechanisms of action of Kathon against insect cells and found that Kathon reduces cell viability and adenosine triphosphate production but promotes the release of lactate dehydrogenase in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. Our results indicate that Kathon is highly toxic to mosquito larvae, and we highlight its potential in the development of new larvicides for mosquito control.

Linear and nonlinear investigations for the adsorption of paracetamol and metformin from water on acid-treated clay

Natural clays are considered a safe, low-cost, and sound sorbent for some pharmaceutical and body care products from water. Metformin (MF) and paracetamol (PA) are of the most consumable drugs worldwide. A portion of natural clay was treated with distilled water, and another part was treated with hydrochloric acid. The water-treated clay (WTC) and the acid-treated clay (ATC) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption isotherm. Batch experiments were employed to investigate the influence of contact time and solution parameters on the adsorption of PA and MF on WTC and ATC. 30 min attained the equilibrium for all sorbent-sorbate systems. Both sorbents fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a preference to the nonlinear fitting, and the mechanism of adsorption partially fitted the liquid-film diffusion model. The PA and MF adsorption on WTC and ATC fitted the Freundlich model in preference to nonlinear fitting. The adsorption of pollutants on both sorbents was spontaneous, exothermic, and physisorption in nature. Even at low concentrations, both WTC and ATC showed efficiency above 80% in removing PA and MF from tab water, groundwater, and Red seawater. These findings nominated natural clay as an alternative to the costly nanomaterials as sorbents for removing pharmaceutical contaminants from water.

MEMBUAT DESAIN PACKAGING PRODUK BODY CARE REVEUSE

In increasing self-confidence in appearance, it is necessary to maintain a clean and healthy body by exfoliating the skin. Reveuse comes with a beauty product in the form of a natural body scrub cube that can treat skin efficiently and can increase the confidence of women aged 18 to 29 who love skincare. In an effort to solve these problems, Reveuse faces a problem in making a suitable design for the packaging of Reveuse body scrub products because the product being offered is a body scrub cube which is still not well known and recognized by the public. Therefore, the problem formulation of this journal is how to make packaging design for Reveuse body care products. The purpose of designing this final project is to create a packaging design for Reveuse body care products so that the product is easier to recognize as a beauty product and has its own charm. The research methods used were qualitative and quantitative through literature studies, interviews with three expert users, three extreme users, and a survey to 100 target audiences. Based on the results of a trial analysis of Reveuse's packaging design work, several designs will be revised, namely the use of Reveuse's main typeface and designs for packaging pouches that don't look like skincare products.
 
 Keywords: Body Care, Packaging, Design Style, Color Palette, Typography

In Silico analysis of Phospho Enolpyrovate Carboxylase gene

The importance of sugar in many aspects of life, such as food, health and body care products, results inits great demand all around the world. From another hand, the annual production of sugar cannot meet theincreasing demand of the growing human population. Therefore, this study focused on one of the mostimportant genes that affect the quantity of sugar production, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPcase).The most important crop used to extract sugar is sugarcane where sugar is stored in the stalk internodes. Inthis study RNA extraction was performed to produce cDNA for cloning. Sequencing the main genes usingthe Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST).

Looking ahead – global sandalwood production and markets in 2040, and implications for Pacific Island producers

ABSTRACT Sandalwood has distinct, high-value end uses that function to underpin its price and maintain demand in different market segments and regions. These uses and markets include essential oil from its heartwood as an ingredient (providing woody base notes and fixative properties) in fine perfumes, exclusive natural body-care products and new pharmaceuticals, especially for European and North American markets; in solid furniture, carvings, traditional medicines and religious uses in China, the Republic of Korea and Japan; for attars 1 1 Attars are fragrant essential oils used pure or as a base for perfume in South Asia and the Middle East. funeral pyres and chewing tobaccos in India; and customary uses in the Middle East. The markets for sandalwood heartwood and oils from Pacific Island countries have been strong and have continually diversified since exports to China commenced over 200 years ago. The global sandalwood market remains buoyant, with 2019 wholesale prices of Santalum album oil ranging from USD 1750 kg−1 (unlicensed production through Dubai) to USD 2100 kg−1 for licensed production from India and USD 2000–2500 kg−1 as wholesale price for Australian S. album plantation oil. The wholesale price for S. austrocaledonicum oil is USD 1500–1750 kg−1. The heartwood (air-dried) of S. album is mostly traded by growers for more than USD 100 kg−1. The price for Fiji’s S. yasi heartwood (partly to fully air-dried, ‘village gate’ price) for carving, furniture, and oil distillation has increased steadily to USD 50 kg−1 in 2019 while the price for grade 1 S. austrocaledonicum heartwood (partly to fully air-dried; ‘on the beach’ price) is USD 35 kg−1. The global market for sandalwood products, sustainably sourced from a growing plantation resource in Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands, is predicted to remain strong up to and beyond 2040. The high rate of increase in sandalwood prices in recent decades is unlikely to continue, however, due to both an expanding supply from increasingly better-managed plantations and the likelihood that, in the longer term, genetic improvement and the adoption of technological innovations will induce earlier and greater heartwood yields in planted sandalwood. Nevertheless, sandalwood prices will remain sufficiently high to make agroforestry cultivation a commercially attractive proposition for efficient Pacific Island sandalwood growers. This paper provides a prognosis for the production of and demand for sandalwood in 2040 for major sandalwood producer regions (Australia, India, Indonesia, Timor-Leste and the Pacific Island nations) and markets (China, Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Middle East, North America and the United Kingdom). These estimates of production and demand were made to inform prospective sandalwood growers, and especially smallholders in Pacific Island countries, on the likelihood that the current strong demand and prices will continue and the extent to which export/international markets will be affected by the large sandalwood plantations now being established in several countries.

Cosmetovigilance in a tertiary care hospital: A prospective observational study.

Cosmetovigilance is a term used for the activities related to the collection, evaluation, and monitoring of reporting of undesirable events observed during or after normal or reasonably foreseeable use of a cosmetic product. The study was conducted to assess the adverse cosmetic events from a tertiary care hospital. The patients visiting the study site was reviewed and those who met the study criteria are enrolled in the study after administration of the informed consent. Study participants were followed on regular intervals either telephonically or hospital visits in order to determine the outcome. The causality assessment of the reported event was performed using Colipa and PLM method. During the study period 22,893 patients visited the dermatology department, in which 87 subjects were enrolled in the study. The incidence of adverse cosmetic event was 0.38%. Hair care products caused more events than body care products. In 73.56% of cases, the suspected cosmetic was withdrawn and all the study population received symptomatic treatment for the adverse events. Causality assessment of Using Colipa method, categorized 49.43% events as likely and using PLM method, 64.37% events were probable. Study couldn't identify any predictors of adverse cosmetic events. Median cost associated with the management of ACRs for hair care products and body care products were 716.62 (IQR: 1011.36-470) and 557.4 (IQR: 711.63-373.8). The study suggest need for approaches such as awareness programs among the cosmetic sellers, consumers and other stakeholders on cosmetovigilance needs to be developed and implemented.

The usage of over-the-counter products by private insured patients in Germany \u2013 a claims data analysis with focus on complementary medicine

BackgroundAn important contribution to well-being of human beings can be observed by the use of self-medication products that is reflected in the constantly growing volume of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The aim of the current study was to extend the measurement concept for OTCs by exploring the relevance of the peripheral assortment provided by the widely accepted framework of the Anatomical Therapeutical and Chemical (ATC) classification of the WHO.MethodsThe focus was on the prescriptions and drug-related receipts submitted by privately insured persons to 18 private health insurers (PHIs) in Germany from the year 2016. The age- and gender-specific average claims amount per risks of outpatient drug expenditure were used as weights to scale up the relative distributions of the item amounts. The ATC-classification defines the commodity groups and discriminates between the main and the peripheral assortment. A descriptive analysis assessed the OTC frequencies and sum scores of the product groups within the main and peripheral assortment whereby the study group explored and assessed the relevance of each category independently according to the OTCs and integrative medicines.ResultsThe analysis included 22.1 Mio. packages from the main assortment and examined 10.1 Mio. packages from the peripheral assortment. The latter was examined thoroughly and the commodity groups “Pharmaceutical food products”, “Medicinal products for special therapy options” and particular “Hygiene and body care products” meet the defined requirements for OTCs relevant for integrative medicines. A high proportion of OTC products from the peripheral assortment was associated with the categories “medicinal products for special therapy options”. Homeopathy and anthroposophy present two special therapy options, which are relevant for the extended OTC measurement.ConclusionsThe analysis of OTC drugs is feasible when the main and the peripheral assortment is available and enable to integrate about 18% of all OTCs, which are neglected by the common ATC-based approach. The presented extended approach may help to identify potential users of OTCs or people in need of OTC use. In case of the highly disputed homeopathy and anthroposophy products, more research among interactions with prescriptions drugs (Rx), nutrition’s and other potentially harmful exposures is recommended.

Customized Cosmetics Purchase Behavior by Consumer Age

This study investigated differences in i) a type of customized cosmetics, ii) awareness of product image, iii) buying motive, iv) effects after use and v) improvements by age among those who had bought and used customized cosmetics previously. For this, a questionnaire survey was conducted among women in their teens or older with prior experience of using customized cosmetics living in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do from August 5 to October 15, 2018. A total of 146 copies out of 200 questionnaires were used for final analysis. For data analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics and cross tabulation were performed using SPSS 21.0, and the results found the following: First, regarding type of customized cosmetics, ‘teens-20s’ preferred ‘body care products’ while ‘perfume’ was popular in ‘30s’ and ‘40s or older’. Second, regarding awareness of product image, ’teens-20s’ responded ‘cosmetics developed considering individual customer needs’ while ‘cosmetics recommended by experts’ was mostly found in ‘30s’ and ‘40s’. Third, in terms of the motive to buy customized cosmetics, ‘it looks good for my skin’ was most responded among those in their teens-40s or older. Fourth, concerning effects after the use of customized cosmetics, ‘teens-20s’ responded ‘smooth texture’, and ‘30s’ and ‘40s’ said ‘bright skin tone’. Those in their 40s or older also responded, ‘smooth texture’. Fifth, in terms of improvements after the use of customized cosmetics, ‘diverse products’ was the highest in ‘teens-20s’ while ‘better quality’ was most responded among those in their 40s or older.

Terpaan Iklan Digital, Word Of Mouth dan Komunikasi Pemasaran Interaktif pada Keputusan Pembelian Produk Perawatan Tubuh

Media Social Instagram turn marketing communication into interactive. On theother hand conventional approaches such as word of mouth are still used to drivepurchasing decisions. The study discusses four main concepts namely exposure toadvertising on social media, word of mouth, and interactive marketing communication asindependent variables. While the purchase decision as the dependent variable. The articleaims to describe the influence between advertising exposure, word of mouth andinteractive marketing communication on purchasing decisions in the context of body careproducts and services. This study collects data through online surveys. Respondents (n =100) come from Instagram account followers @thecliniccipete and are chosen based onmembership or have made a previous purchase. Data analysis used univariate analysisfor demographic data and bivariate analysis for variables. Bivariate analysis uses simple linear regression to test three hypotheses. The result of regression test shows thatstatistically all hypotheses have an influence on purchasing decisions with different levelsof influence strength. Ad exposure and word of mouth variables show a strong influenceon purchasing decisions. However, interactive marketing communication shows amoderate influence on purchasing decisions. Based on the three hypotheses known wordof mouth is the most powerful variable that explains purchasing decisions in the contextof body care products and services.

Cosmetics and pregnancy: perception of health risk by health professionals and pregnant women

Abstract Contex During pregnancy, the International Federation of Gyneco-Obstetrics (FIGO) advocates limiting exposure to chemicals present in everyday products, including cosmetics. However, both pregnant women (PW) and perinatal health professionals (PHP) know still poorly this source of exposure. AIMS: The PERICOS-Quali Study aims to identify the perception of the risk associated with the use of cosmetics during pregnancy by PHP and PW. Methodology A qualitative survey was conducted among PHP and PW in Auvergne (France). The data were collected by semi-structured interviews with the PHP and by focus group with the PW, until saturation of the speeches, by an experienced investigator, with an interview guide. The interviews were recorded, the verbatim was transcribed and subjected to a thematic analysis with the N-VIVO v11 software. Results 12 PHP (5 midwives, 2 general practitioners and 5 obstetricians) and 24 PW were interviewed. PHP and PW considered cosmetics as wellness and body-care products. Furthermore PHP noted that during pregnancy women used more often organic products, moisturizers or anti-stretch marks, and reduced the use of perfumes, deodorants. In the absence of recommandations based on Evidence-Based Medecine, PHP and PW considered the risk related to cosmetics as not major. The PHP (especially midwives) reported giving advice to comfort the pregnant women; their positioning was not to prohibit the use of cosmetics during pregnancy. PW did not identify PHP as reliable sources of information about cosmetics. Conclusions PHP are seeking for tools to help them to better advice PW. And PW would like also to have pertinent advices about cosmetics to make a reasoned choice. Key messages Health education about use of cosmetics during pregnancy is necessary. Pregnant women and health professionals don’t perceive health risk linked to cosmetics.

A narrative review of heavy metals in cosmetics; health risks

Cosmetics products since the dawn of civilization are considered a part of routine body care. The last few decades these products have had increasing and applied to the human body for beautification. Xenobiotics and heavy metals including chromium, copper, iron, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and nickel, classified as a light metal, are determinate in various types of cosmetics such as color cosmetics, face and body care products, hair cosmetics, herbal cosmetics. In cosmetic products was harmful when they occur in excessive amounts. Evidence studies determinate that in commercially available cosmetics toxic metals might present in amounts creating a danger to human health. The aim of this review is to assess identification of elimination, sources and control of sources, and monitoring countries marketed exposures and hazards can be used to prevent heavy metals toxicity. © 2019, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved.

The Influence of Environmental Knowledge on Green Purchase Intention the Role of Attitude as Mediating Variable

This study aims to investigate relational relationship between Environmental Knowledge, Green Brand Image, Attitude towards green products, and Green Purchase Intention in increasing interest in buying environmentally friendly body care and cosmetic products. The analysis technique used is Quantitative Analysis. The research samples were students in State Universities in Manado, Indonesia who have the intention to buy The Body Shop products. The analysis tool used is Smart PLS. The findings of this study signify that Environmental Knowledge have no significant direct effect on consumers’ Green Purchase Intention. More important, Attitude is found to have a full mediation effect on the relationship of Environmental Knowledge and green Purchase Intention.

Lily-of-the-valley fragrances

Obtaining an essential oil from the lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis L.) that embodies the characteristic smell of the living flowers is not possible even today. Challenged by this pitfall, organic chemists and perfumers have generated a wealth of artificial compounds over the last 120 years, which confer fresh, green, flowery, crisp, aldehydic muguet notes to soaps, detergents, body care and cosmetic products as well as to prestigious perfumes. Nowadays, lily-of-the-valley odorants account for over 20% of the total perfumery raw materials market, which makes them the most important odor family, not only in terms of value but also in volume.

Identification of the fungicide epoxiconazole by virtual screening and biological assessment as inhibitor of human 11β-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase

Humans are constantly exposed to a multitude of environmental chemicals that may disturb endocrine functions. It is crucial to identify such chemicals and uncover their mode-of-action to avoid adverse health effects. 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) catalyze the formation of cortisol and aldosterone, respectively, in the adrenal cortex. Disruption of their synthesis by exogenous chemicals can contribute to cardio-metabolic diseases, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, and immune-related disorders. This study applied in silico screening and in vitro evaluation for the discovery of xenobiotics inhibiting CYP11B1 and CYP11B2. Several databases comprising environmentally relevant pollutants, chemicals in body care products, food additives and drugs were virtually screened using CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 pharmacophore models. A first round of biological testing used hamster cells overexpressing human CYP11B1 or CYP11B2 to analyze 25 selected virtual hits. Three compounds inhibited CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 with IC50 values below 3 μM. The most potent inhibitor was epoxiconazole (IC50 value of 623 nM for CYP11B1 and 113 nM for CYP11B2, respectively); flurprimidol and ancymidol were moderate inhibitors. In a second round, these three compounds were tested in human adrenal H295R cells endogenously expressing CYP11B1 and CYP11B2, confirming the potent inhibition by epoxiconazole and the more moderate effects by flurprimidol and ancymidol. Thus, the in silico screening, prioritization of chemicals for initial biological tests and use of H295R cells to provide initial mechanistic information is a promising strategy to identify potential endocrine disruptors inhibiting corticosteroid synthesis. A critical assessment of human exposure levels and in vivo evaluation of potential corticosteroid disrupting effects by epoxiconazole is required.

Receptor-based aggregate exposure assessment of phthalates based on individual's simultaneous use of multiple cosmetic products

To estimate realistic exposure to a chemical, the aggregate exposure from multiple consumer products should be considered. A receptor-based aggregate exposure assessment was conducted according to individuals' exposure factors and simultaneous use patterns including co-use and non-use. A product-based aggregate exposure assessment was conducted by product usage rates of population and users’ exposure factors. Two aggregate exposure assessments were compared. Exposure factors for 31 cosmetic products were collected by face-to-face interviews with 1001 members of the Korean population through national representative sampling. The concentrations of phthalates in 214 cosmetic products were analyzed by GC-MS-MS. The average aggregate exposure dose (AED) determined by the receptor-based method for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were 0.68 ± 0.87, 1.08 ± 5.71, and 2.47 ± 9.05 μg/kg/day, respectively. The cosmetics that contributed most to the receptor-based AED were skin care and body care products for DEHP, nail care products for DnBP, and fragrance and hair care products for DEP. The young female group showed the highest exposure. The product-based aggregate exposure assessment method underestimated high exposure but overestimated average exposure for DnBP and DEP. The receptor-based aggregate exposure assessment method would be used to determine high exposure groups.

Perception of Consumer towards Halal Labelled Cosmetic Products in Selangor

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose...................................................................................................................................................................................................... This study aims to identify the level of perception level of consumer and the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice toward consumer perception on the halal cosmetic product. Background........................................................................................................................................................................................................ Halal labelled cosmetic sector is expected to thrive in Malaysia. The consumption and expenditure among Malaysian consumers on cosmetic products in personal body care, beauty and wellness products are increasing rapidly over time. At the same time, government bodies have to make sure that manufacturers comply with Malaysia Halal and Sharia standards. Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................................... Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire where 100 respondents were randomly selected in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) exhibition. The data were then analyzed by using descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Contribution........................................................................................................................................................................................................ This paper studies the effect of knowledge, attitude and practice on the perception of consumer toward halal labelled cosmetic products in Selangor. This study is useful to fill the gaps in the Malaysian literature regarding the importance of knowledge and its relationship with the attitude and practice. Findings.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. From the results, the consumers are having a high level of perception of halal cosmetic products. Besides that, consumers have sufficient knowledge with the attitude towards the halal cosmetic products, which includes the ingredients that are lawful in Syariah law and can avoid sensitive skin and allergic problem. However, the consumers showed a moderate practice level on the halal cosmetic products as there are more prone to used products from overseas. The analysis of Pearson correlation on three variables has indicated that knowledge, attitude and practice of consumers are identical to the methods of halal cosmetic products. Recommendations for Practitioners................................................................................................................................................................. The government should promote the benefits of halal cosmetic products to consumers more often to change their perceptions about the halal cosmetic product in Malaysia. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................... More studies can be done regarding the behavior and intention of consumers concerning halal cosmetic products in other states in Malaysia. Impact on Society.............................................................................................................................................................................................. The findings can help consumers in understanding the benefits and advantage of halal cosmetic product toward health. Hence, all parties, including the government, policymakers and manufacturers, should encourage and grow consumer interest in halal cosmetic product by making it more accessible and available. Future Research................................................................................................................................................................................................ This study focuses on Selangor only and does not represent other states. Further research is required to generalize the findings of this study aimed at determining the effect of demographic factors on the behavior of consumers concerning halal cosmetic products.

The search for new cosmetic preservatives

In May, Bocchi Laboratories recalled its Medline Remedy Essentials No-Rinse Cleansing Foam, used to wash hospital patients. Burkholderia cepacia, a Gram-negative bacteria complex that can lead to serious respiratory infections in immune-compromised individuals, had contaminated the preparation. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration warned of a possible life-threatening infection, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention confirmed 15 illnesses in hospitalized patients. FDA’s cosmetic recall database lists a half-dozen other cases of contaminated cosmetics since June. The recalls involved batches of baby wash, body care products, and tattoo inks with high levels of potentially harmful microbial organisms. Among the contaminants were infection-causing Enterobacter aerogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. FDA doesn’t disclose the reasons for the contamination, but faulty preservatives could be involved. Without preservatives, many personal care products would be hospitable breeding grounds for bacteria, fu...

German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB): Time Trends of Paraben Exposure

Parabens are used as preservatives e.g. in cosmetics and body care products. They have allergenic and estrogenic properties. According to the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) the toxicological data available for isopropyl-, isobutyl-, pentyl-, benzyl- and phenyl-paraben do not allow for the assessment of their health impact. Therefore, since 2014, these parabens are prohibited in cosmetic products in Europe (Commission Regulation (EU) No 358/201): For n-propyl- and n-butyl-parabene the maximum percentage was reduced to 0.19% (0.14% as acid) for each compound.Internal exposure time trends for young adults aged 20 to 29 years were analyzed in 24 h-urine samples collected by the ESB for 6 parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, iso-propyl, n-propyl, iso-butyl, and n-butyl-paraben), covering the period from 1995 to 2017. Parabens were determined after enzymatic hydrolysis via HPLC-MS/MS. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.5 µg/L.In 1995 10% of the samples contained isobutyl-paraben levels above LOQ. As a maximum, a fraction of 30% was observed in 2007 and 2008. In 2017 it was found in none of the samples. The fraction of levels at or above LOQ for n-butyl-paraben decreased from 27% in 1995 to 5% in 2017 (2004: 53 %). Although the use of ethyl-paraben had been classified as acceptable by the SCCS, exposure slightly decreased: The fraction of levels at or above LOQ decreased from 85% in 1995 to 67% in 2017. Methyl-paraben was detected in all samples analysed. Apart from decreasing detection rates urinary concentrations started to drop considerably in recent years for all parabens.For further elucidating the trend, similar studies in other European countries are warranted. The decline in exposure can be considered a positive result from a precautionary standpoint. However, health based guidance values are needed for substantiated evaluation of human exposure levels.