Determination of Cadmium and Lead Concentration in Cosmetics (Sunscreen, Lipstick and Hair Color)

Development of cosmetics industry has increased the affinity to use these products by people especially women for makeup and toilet. Due to the presence of metals such as lead and cadmium as preservative and colored element in these products, concentrations of these metals in sunscreen cosmetics, lipstick and hair color were determined. Different brands of cosmetics were analyzed to determine Cd and Pb concentration (in µg/kg dry weight) using graphite furnace atomic absorption (AA-670). We found that generally mean concentration of Cd was lower than Pb. There was no significant difference of Cd level between different brands of sunscreen and lipstick (p>0.05), whereas, a significant difference of Pb between the brands studied was observed (p<0.05). No significant difference was obtained between concentration of Cd and Pb in various brands of hair color (p>0.05). Though levels of Pb and Cd in selected brands of cosmetics were lower than standard limits, their low concentration in compared with the results of previous research works could induce serious hazards on human health and the possibility of occurrence or exacerbation of disease including allergy, inflammation, skin diseases, cancer and so on. Hence, preparation and use of these products must be done according to current standards.