Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The study examines the presence and health risks of heavy metals in cosmetic products available on the online consumer market. It analyzes 23 samples of various cosmetics including foundations, blushes, lipsticks, face creams, face masks, and eye shadows. The research focuses on determining the concentrations of metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), assessing their potential health risks, and calculating safety margins, hazard quotients, and other risk assessment metrics to evaluate their safety when used daily. The study provides valuable insight into whether online cosmetics pose a health risk based on the heavy metals they contain, especially those with limited regulatory oversight.
Who is affected?
Consumers purchasing cosmetic products online are the primary stakeholders affected by this issue. These include individuals who may unknowingly expose themselves to unsafe levels of heavy metals such as chromium, nickel, and lead through daily cosmetic use. Particularly at risk are users of products like lipsticks, foundations, and eye shadows that could contain elevated levels of these metals. Additionally, manufacturers of cosmetic products, especially those operating in regions with less stringent regulatory frameworks, are affected as they are responsible for ensuring the safety and compliance of their products. Regulatory bodies and public health officials may also be involved in monitoring and controlling such contaminants to safeguard public health.
Most important findings
The study revealed significant variation in the concentration of heavy metals across different cosmetic products. Iron (Fe) was found in the highest concentrations, followed by zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). The highest concentrations of chromium and nickel were found in blushes, while eye shadows had the most significant levels of iron, manganese, and zinc. Importantly, the health risk analysis using metrics like the Margin of Safety (MoS), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) suggested that these cosmetic products, despite their varying metal concentrations, did not present a risk to human health when used in normal daily routines. The risk of cancer, as measured by Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR), was found to be within the expected range, confirming that the metals’ presence does not pose a carcinogenic threat at typical exposure levels. Additionally, the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for nickel indicated no significant risk for skin sensitization from cosmetic use.
Key implications
The findings indicate that while the levels of heavy metals in some cosmetic products are high, the overall risk to human health is minimal, according to the study’s safety calculations. However, this does not negate the need for continued vigilance and regular testing, especially considering the rapidly expanding online cosmetic market, where products may be less regulated. The results underscore the importance of establishing stricter regulations for heavy metal content in cosmetics, especially for products sold online, where quality control is often more challenging. Regulatory bodies may need to revisit safety standards and ensure that consumer safety is prioritized in the face of growing market concerns. For the food and cosmetics industries, compliance with stringent safety standards remains crucial for ensuring product safety and consumer confidence.
Citation
Kicińska A, Kowalczyk M. Health risks from heavy metals in cosmetic products available in the online consumer market. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 2;15(1):316. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-83477-2
Chromium (Cr) is a widely used metal with significant public health implications, especially in its toxic hexavalent form. The HMTC program’s stricter regulations ensure that chromium exposure is minimized, safeguarding consumer health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Nickel is a widely used transition metal found in alloys, batteries, and consumer products that also contaminates food and water. High exposure is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, organ toxicity, and developmental effects, with children often exceeding EFSA’s tolerable daily intake of 3 μg/kg bw. Emerging evidence shows nickel crosses the placenta, elevating risks of preterm birth and congenital heart defects, underscoring HMTC’s stricter limits to safeguard vulnerable populations.
