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Objectives: To determine the compliance of online vendors to the UK Opticians Act 1989 Section 27 requirements and safety regulations for cosmetic contact lens (CCL) sales and the quality of online CCL health information., Methods: The top 50 websites selling CCLs on each three search engines, namely Google, Yahoo, and Bing, were selected. Duplicates were removed, and the remaining websites were systematically analyzed in February 2023. UK legal authorization for CCL sales was assessed using the Opticians Act Section 27 and safety regulations determined by the presence of Conformité Européene (CE) marking. The quality and reliability of online information was graded using the DISCERN (16-80) and JAMA (0-4) scores by two independent reviewers., Results: Forty-seven eligible websites were analyzed. Only six (12.7%) met the UK legal authorization for CCL sales. Forty-nine different brands of CCLs were sold on these websites, of which 13 (26.5%) had no CE marking. The mean DISCERN and JAMA benchmark scores were 26 ± 12.2 and 1.3 ± 0.6, respectively (intraclass correlation scores: 0.99 for both)., Conclusions: A significant number of websites provide consumers with easy, unsafe, and unregulated access to CCLs. Most online stores do not meet the requirements set out in the Opticians Act for CCL sales in the United Kingdom. A significant number of CCLs lack CE marking, while the average quality of information on websites selling CCLs is poor. Together, these pose a risk to consumers purchasing CCLs from unregulated websites, and therefore, further stringent regulations on the online sales of these products are needed., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists.)

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) amends the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), elevating the standard of proof of safety (better known as a "safety standard") for cosmetics to the standard of a "reasonable certainty … [of] … safe."a standard equal to that of food ingredients. The standards of the proof of safety differ for various classes of FDA-regulated product categories e.g., cosmetics, dietary supplements, food ingredients and food itself. This manuscript describes the various standards of proof, the essential differences between the standards, key elements required to achieve a particular standard and, compares the standards to more familiar legal terms such as "a preponderance of the evidence" or "beyond reasonable doubt." The standards of proof for these product categories are also ranked according to increasing threshold for achievement of "safe" status. Lastly, this manuscript suggests how the requirements for the high standard of a "reasonable certainty of safe" (or "reasonable certainty of no harm") might be met., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author declares that he has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 47 Citrus peel-derived ingredients, which are most frequently reported to function in cosmetics as skin conditioning agents. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanical ingredients, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. Industry should use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel concluded that Citrus peel-derived ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in both rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products when formulated to be non-sensitizing and non-irritating, provided that leave-on products do not contain more than 0.0015% (15 ppm) 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP).

The "SCCS Notes of Guidance for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients and Their Safety Evaluation, 11 th Revision" (SCCS/1628/21) contains relevant and updated information on the different aspects of testing and safety evaluation of cosmetic substances in Europe. The emphasis is on cosmetic ingredients for which a concern has been expressed for human health. Indirectly, the Guidance also provides some advice on the safety of finished products. A general aim is to improve harmonised compliance with the current cosmetic EU legislation, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, for which animal testing and marketing bans fully apply from 2013 onwards. This means that no in vivo testing of ingredients or finished products is allowed in Europe for the purpose of cosmetics. For this reason, the SCCS has closely followed the progress made in regard to the development and validation of alternative replacement methods, also referred to as new approach methodology (NAM). The "SCCS Notes of Guidance" are regularly revised and updated in order to incorporate progress made and experience gained over time, in particular on the use of NAMs, and the new methods and data that became available since previous revision (SCCS/1602/18) formed the basis of the current (11 th) Revision., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 30 Citrus plant- and seed-derived ingredients, which are most frequently reported to function in cosmetics as fragrances and/or skin conditioning agents. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. With Citrus plant- and seed-derived ingredients, the Panel was concerned about the presence of the hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in cosmetics. Industry should use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities. The Panel reviewed the available data presented and concluded that 18 of these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The data for the remaining 12 ingredients are insufficient to determine safety.

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 80 Citrus fruit-derived ingredients, which are most frequently reported to function in cosmetics as fragrances and/or skin-conditioning agents. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. Industry should use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe for use in both rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products when formulated to be non-sensitizing and non-irritating, provided that leave-on products do not contain more than 0.0015% (15 ppm) 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP).

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel (Panel) assessed the safety of 33 Citrus flower- and leaf-derived ingredients, which are most frequently reported to function in cosmetics as fragrances and/or skin-conditioning agents. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. With Citrus flower- and leaf-derived ingredients, the Panel was concerned about the presence of the hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in cosmetics. Industry should use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Next generation risk assessment (NGRA) is an exposure-led, hypothesis-driven approach that has the potential to support animal-free safety decision-making. However, significant effort is needed to develop and test the in vitro and in silico (computational) approaches that underpin NGRA to enable confident application in a regulatory context. A workshop was held in Montreal in 2019 to discuss where effort needs to be focussed and to agree on the steps needed to ensure safety decisions made on cosmetic ingredients are robust and protective. Workshop participants explored whether NGRA for cosmetic ingredients can be protective of human health, and reviewed examples of NGRA for cosmetic ingredients. From the limited examples available, it is clear that NGRA is still in its infancy, and further case studies are needed to determine whether safety decisions are sufficiently protective and not overly conservative. Seven areas were identified to help progress application of NGRA, including further investments in case studies that elaborate on scenarios frequently encountered by industry and regulators, including those where a 'high risk' conclusion would be expected. These will provide confidence that the tools and approaches can reliably discern differing levels of risk. Furthermore, frameworks to guide performance and reporting should be developed., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dermal contact is the main route of exposure for most cosmetics; however, inhalation exposure could be significant for some formulations (e.g., aerosols, powders). Current cosmetic regulations do not require specific tests addressing respiratory irritation and sensitisation, and despite the prohibition of animal testing for cosmetics, no alternative methods have been validated to assess these endpoints to date. Inhalation hazard is mainly determined based on existing human and animal evidence, read-across, and extrapolation of data from different target organs or tissues, such as the skin. However, because of mechanistic differences, effects on the skin cannot predict effects on the respiratory tract, which indicates a substantial need for the development of new approach methodologies addressing respiratory endpoints for inhalable chemicals in general. Cosmetics might present a particularly significant need for risk assessments of inhalation exposure to provide a more accurate toxicological evaluation and ensure consumer safety. This review describes the differences in the mechanisms of irritation and sensitisation between the skin and the respiratory tract, the progress that has already been made, and what still needs to be done to fill the gap in the inhalation risk assessment of cosmetic ingredients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Customized cosmetics immediately made on the spot are now in the market. The present study surveyed 1084 consumers to obtain general insights into their perceptions and perspectives on this novel type of cosmetic. Over half of the total respondents (57.2%) answered they were likely to purchase customized cosmetics; however, a large proportion of consumers also thought microbiological (59.2%)/chemical safety (69.4%) of cosmetics were not good. This reflects consumer anxiety regarding safety issues concerning the customized cosmetics. Even customized cosmetics are regulated by the cosmetic act in each country (i.e., the Cosmetic Act in the Republic of Korea, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in the USA, and EC Cosmetic Regulation 1123/2009 in Europe), there have been no specific regulations for customized cosmetics made on the spot worldwide so far. To dispel consumer concerns and establish a principled market for the new cosmetics in the field, proper management plans should be established based on consumer surveys. This study indicated that consumers thought it was important to manage the facility/equipment and safety of raw materials (19.7%, each). We believe this study provides a valuable resource for understanding consumers' perceptions and requirements on customized cosmetics, which contributes to establishing future regulations and guidelines., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

“Hispanic” and “Latino” (also known as Mestizo) describe a diverse racial and ethnic group, with a range of cultures, languages, and biological ancestry. It includes individuals of Mexican, Central-to-South American, and Spanish-Caribbean (eg, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican) descent.1 Individuals of Hispanic/Latino race and ethnicity represent a heterogenous group of people with different skin tones and Fitzpatrick phototypes. Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States (US) - projected to increase from 55 million in 2014 to 119 million in 2060, an increase of 115%.2 By 2060, more than one-quarter (29%) of the US is projected to be Hispanic/Latino.2.

In this work, fatty-acid profiles, including trans fatty acids, in combination with chemometric tools, were applied as a determinant of purity (i.e., adulteration) and provenance (i.e., geographical origin) of cosmetic grade argan oil collected from different regions of Morocco in 2017. The fatty acid profiles obtained by gas chromatography (GC) showed that oleic acid (C18:1) is the most abundant fatty acid, followed by linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16:0). The content of trans-oleic and trans-linoleic isomers was between 0.02% and 0.03%, while trans-linolenic isomers were between 0.06% and 0.09%. Discriminant analysis (DA) and orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed to discriminate between argan oils from Essaouira, Taroudant, Tiznit, Chtouka-Aït Baha and Sidi Ifni. The correct classification rate was highest for argan oil from the Chtouka-Aït Baha province (90.0%) and the lowest for oils from the Sidi Ifni province (14.3%), with an overall correct classification rate of 51.6%. Pairwise comparison using OPLS-DA could predictably differentiate (≥0.92) between the geographical regions with the levels of stearic (C18:0) and arachidic (C20:0) fatty acids accounting for most of the variance. This study shows the feasibility of implementing authenticity criteria for argan oils by including limit values for trans-fatty acids and the ability to discern provenance using fatty acid profiling.

A simple rapid and efficient deep eutectic solvent-based magnetic colloidal gel (DES-MCG) assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method followed by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was established for determination of four sex hormones (including ethinylestradiol, norgestrel, megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate) in cosmetic skin care toners. The DES-MCG with the desirable advantages of high adsorbing ability was prepared by combining choline chloride/urea deep eutectic solvent and magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs). The synthesized DES-MCG was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The cosmetic skin care toners were concentrated by a rotary evaporator and the obtained solutions were further purified by DES-MCG assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for efficient optimization of the main variables in the extraction procedure. Under the optimized conditions, method detection limits and method quantitation limits were in the range of 1.2-6.6 ng mL -1 and 4.4-26.6 ng mL -1 , respectively. The recoveries of the four sex hormones in different cosmetic skin care toners ranged from 80.1% to 118.8% and the precisions were no more than 0.35%. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of sex hormones in cosmetic skin care toners., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: COVID-19 pandemic influences a lot of aspects of human life. Particularly, hygienic habits are affected., Objectives: Changes in washing and cosmetic standards during the pandemic toward the past are in the focus of our interest., Material and Methods: The questionnaire study was conducted anonymously in 140 women. The examination concerned pre- and during-pandemic routine hygiene activities such as hands washing, hair washing, bathing, the use of disinfectants, and use of specific type of cosmetics., Results and Discussion: Compared were data before and during pandemic. Responders declared increased handwashing and taking shower after coming back home and after using local city transportation. We found also that increased use of disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic. In contrary to that, number of people washing their hair decreased slightly. Work documents that profile of used cosmetics was changed; increasing hand cream use and decreasing in makeup cosmetics. Nearly, half of the respondents declare that they will maintain new habits also after the pandemic has ended., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The labeling of all ingredients contained in consumer products has been requested by consumers concerned regarding their safety. Consequently, regulatory agencies have set guidelines for industries on how to provide safety information regarding the ingredients in their products. However, discordant opinions were raised from stakeholders, resulting in the formation of a risk communication forum among industries, regulatory agencies, consumer groups, and academia. There are several methods that might be utilized to provide ingredient information to consumers: (1) listing all ingredients on the label of products, (2) providing major ingredients on the label of products, (3) presenting all ingredients on the websites of each manufacturer, and (4) listing major ingredients on the label of products and the remainder of ingredients (not on the label) on the websites. Each method might have its own advantages and disadvantages with respect to providing the information regarding the names of the ingredients used in consumer products to the consumers. A continuous risk communication forum might be an effective tool to facilitate an improved understanding of chemical information, toxicological science, regulatory guidelines, labeling methods, and consumers' concern. This study suggests that risk communication efforts may be helpful and a good opportunity for stakeholders to exchange opinions and reach a harmonious conclusion on labeling of consumer products ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is physiologically synthesized by several human cells types but it is also a widespread ingredient of commercial products, from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. Despite its extended use, the precise intra- and extra-cellular effects of HA at low-molecular-weight (LWM-HA) are currently unclear. At this regard, the aim of this study is to in-depth identify and quantify proteome's changes in normal human dermal fibroblasts after 24 h treatment with 0.125, 0.25 and 0.50 % LMW-HA (20-50 kDa) respectively, vs controls. To do this, a label-free quantitative proteomic approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry was used. Overall, 2328 proteins were identified of which 39 significantly altered by 0.125 %, 149 by 0.25 % and 496 by 0.50 % LMW-HA. Protein networking studies indicated that the biological effects involve the enhancement of intracellular activity at all concentrations, as well as the extracellular matrix reorganization, proteoglycans and collagen biosynthesis. Moreover, the cell's wellness was confirmed, although mild inflammatory and immune responses were induced at the highest concentration. The more complete comprehension of intra- and extra-cellular effects of LMW-HA here provided by an advanced analytical approach and protein networking will be useful to further exploit its features and improve current formulations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors state no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with allergic contact dermatitis rely on ingredient lists published in databases and by online retailers to find safe skincare products., Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of product ingredient labeling by comparing drugstore product labels to ingredient lists published online., Methods: Amazon was queried for best-selling items in several categories of skincare, generating a list of 93 products. These products were then found at a local Target and Walgreens and online on Contact Allergen Management Program, SkinSAFE, and Consumer Product Information Database. Drugstore product labels were compared with online ingredient lists and analyzed for discrepancies., Results: There were 31 occurrences in which an allergen listed in the 2017 American Contact Dermatitis Society Core Allergen Series was omitted (present on the in-store label but missing from an online list.) Seven omissions occurred on Contact Allergen Management Program, 11 occurred on SkinSAFE, 5 occurred on Consumer Product Information Database, and 8 occurred on Amazon., Conclusions: Definitive treatment of allergic contact dermatitis is avoidance of allergens found on patch testing. These data suggest that patients may be at risk of inadvertent exposure to allergens from products, which are supposedly deemed safe according to online ingredient lists.

Background: Health-care-associated infections are a frequent problem in hospital environments. Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent outbreaks. The use of certain accessories could decrease its effectiveness, facilitating horizontal transmission of pathogens., Objective: Analyze the evidence that assess the impact of the use of rings and nail polish on hand hygiene quality in healthcare workers., Methods: Non-systematic search in PUBMED/MEDLINE database (1978-2018) of studies in which the quality of hand hygiene or surgical washing is measured, using quantitative cultures or fluorescent stains., Results: Wearing rings: 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven were carried out in general wards. In all of them the use of rings was associated with lower quality of hand hygiene (the majority of low quality). Contrarily, in 3 of 4 primary studies carried out in the operating rooms (of low quality), their use did not affect the quality of surgical washing. Similarly, two systematic reviews obtained similar conclusions. Nail polish: 7 of 54 studies met the inclusion criteria. In four of them there were discordant results (the majority of low quality). One RCT showed a reduction in the quality of surgical washing only when the nail polish was damaged. Gel nail polish was associated with lower quality in two experimental studies., Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to associate the use of these accessories with the reduction in the quality of hand hygiene. Its safety was not proven neither. Based on the available evidence (the majority of low quality), a negative impact of the use of rings in clinical units and also of damaged nail polish in operating rooms was observed. Better quality studies are required to address these relevant issues.

Cosmetics containing botanic ingredients have been used from thousands of years up to now in China. Because of the consumers' demand for health and beauty,the number of products about " botanic" have been growing rapidly in the cosmetics market,which has played an important role in upgrading the industry and enhancing the international competitiveness nowadays. Therefore,to strengthen the management about used botanic raw materials in cosmetics products and revise the application regulation of new raw materials has become an important work to ensure product quality,promote the healthy and stable development of cosmetic business. The article summarizes the related mandatory regulations and standards about botanic ingredients which used as activity function in major cosmetic business countries or regions. Furthermore,the information of botanic ingredients commonly used in non-special cosmetics notification and special cosmetic registration system were described to expect the better application and development.

A new analytical method based on the recently proposed stir bar sorptive-dispersive microextraction (SBSDME) technique has been developed to determine eight hazardous N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products. As previous step, a simple clean-up is carried out with hexane to remove those highly lipophilic compounds that disturb the SBSDME step. Subsequently, SBSDME is performed by using magnetic nanoparticles-metal organic framework composite, CoFe 2 O 4 /MIL-101(Fe), as sorbent to entrap the target analytes, which are later chemically desorbed and measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The experimental variables related to the SBSDME procedure were studied to achieve the highest analytical signal. Under the most favorable conditions, the proposed method was validated providing good linearity; enrichment factors up to 62 depending on the analyte; limits of detection from 3 to 13 µg kg -1 ; and good repeatability values (RSD < 17.0%). Finally, the method was successfully applied to cosmetic samples composed either of lipophilic or hydrophilic matrices. Quantitative relative recoveries (96-109%) were obtained by using standard addition calibration. The present work expands the applicability of the SBSDME technique, whereas its analytical features make it useful to carry out the quality control of cosmetic samples., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Microbiomes associated with human skin and the oral cavity are uniquely exposed to personal care regimes. Changes in the composition and activities of the microbial communities in these environments can be utilized to promote consumer health benefits, for example, by reducing the numbers, composition, or activities of microbes implicated in conditions such as acne, axillary odor, dandruff, and oral diseases. It is, however, important to ensure that innovative approaches for microbiome manipulation do not unsafely disrupt the microbiome or compromise health, and where major changes in the composition or activities of the microbiome may occur, these require evaluation to ensure that critical biological functions are unaffected. This article is based on a 2-day workshop held at SEAC Unilever, Sharnbrook, United Kingdom, involving 31 specialists in microbial risk assessment, skin and oral microbiome research, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, mathematical modeling, and immunology. The first day focused on understanding the potential implications of skin and oral microbiome perturbation, while approaches to characterize those perturbations were discussed during the second day. This article discusses the factors that the panel recommends be considered for personal care products that target the microbiomes of the skin and the oral cavity., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.)

Background: There is an urgent need to address the safety problems caused by the use of skin lightening cosmetics. Evidence suggests that some of them may contain heavy metals., Objectives: We conducted a systematic review of global legal regulations regarding the permissible level of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium in cosmetic products, with particular emphasis on skin lightening preparations., Methods: The systematic search of documents was a two-stage process. First, official websites of 17 regional organizations and subsequently regulations for countries with a population over 100 million were searched., Results: Fifteen legislative acts, encompassing more than 67·2% of the global population were reviewed. Regulations were identified for 44/59 high income countries, 16/55 upper middle income countries, 9/45 lower income countries, 0/34 low income countries. The median adult literacy rate was 91·4% and 64·2% in countries with and without regulations, respectively. The use of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium has been banned in 67, 67, 65, and 65 out of 69 countries, respectively., Conclusions: While regulations exist in most of the high income countries, in low income countries there is a lack of similar standards. In most countries for which these legal regulations have been identified, restrictions on the permissible level of heavy metals are strict. There is a need for enforcement of existing rules, and rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of these regulations., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A suitable extraction protocol based on an liquid-liquid extraction with hexane/dimethyl sulfoxide and a GC/MS method were developed and validated to determine the concentration of six prohibited Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs; benzo[a]pyrene; dibenz[a,h]anthracene; benz[a]anthracene; benzo[j]fluoranthene; benzo[k]fluoranthene; chrysene) in lipsticks commissioned by a cosmetic company to a manufacturer. The lipsticks were produced in four different colors. Analyses confirmed the presence of benz[a]anthracene and chrysene only in two colors in a concentration of 9.3-9.4 ng/g. The concentration of PAHs was 250 times lower than what is considered a toxic level on the basis of what reported in the litaraure and guidances for cosmetic ingredients; therefore we could assume that the risk for consumer health was negligeble., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, nanoparticles are being used extensively in personal healthcare products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, soaps, and shampoos. Particularly, metal oxide nanoparticles are gaining competence as key industrial constituents, progressing toward a remarkable rise in their applications. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles are the most commonly employed metal oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens, ointments, foot care, and over the counter topical products. Dermal exposure to these metal oxides predominantly occurs through explicit use of cosmetic products and airway exposure to nanoparticle dusts is primarily mediated via occupational exposure. There is a compelling need to understand the toxicity effects of nanoparticles which can easily enter the cells and induce oxidative stress. Consequently, these products have become a direct source of pollution in the environment and thereby greatly impact our ecosystem. A complete understanding of the toxicity mechanism of nano-ZnO is intended to resolve whether and to what extent such nanoparticles may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings. In this review article, we have discussed the characteristics of metal oxide nanoparticles and its applications in the cosmetic industry. We have also highlighted about their toxicity effects and their impact on human health.

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in a wide range of products and are known to affect the human health adversely. Hence, the present study was carried out to identify and quantify the presence of four phthalates namely dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP), di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the two baby products i.e. baby oils and baby lotions. The daily exposure levels and hazard index of each phthalate were also calculated. It was an analytical study where two different brands of samples of baby oil and baby lotion each, from the date of manufacturing of 3, 10, and 20 months were collected. The extraction of phthalates from different samples was done and analyzed using HPTLC. Results showed the presence of all four phthalates, although some phthalates were not present in 3 M samples. The maximum concentration of all the phthalates was found in 20 M samples. Their concentration increased with the storage time indicating the possibility of leaching and migration of phthalates from the container into the product. The hazard indices for phthalates estimated for baby oil and baby lotion were found below 1, which denotes that the daily phthalate exposures are within the regulatory limits. It is important to consider that the exposure to phthalates can occur not only by dermal contact of these baby products but also through other routes. Hence, the study signifies the importance of phthalates concentration in such regularly used products.

Skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States of America, and non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cause of Australian hospitalisations with cancer as the principle diagnosis, having a huge cost to the country's health care system. Primary and secondary skin cancer prevention is globally inadequate, with only 3 in 10 American adults using sun protection routinely. Evidence suggests that regular sunscreen use in Australians prevents both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, and American research has found that daily sunscreen use reduced the incidence of melanoma - the most skin cancer deaths - by half. Despite this, in many countries and regions around the world, a major ongoing divergence remains on the classification of sunscreen as either a cosmetic product or a form of medical therapy, which in turn affects the consumers' attitudes towards the use of sunscreen. This is also affected by the increasing use of the internet, which has made the purchasing of products internationally convenient and easy for consumers worldwide, including sunscreen products, which are frequently marketed online. There is variation between each country or region and their regulations of sunscreen affect the consequent labelling claims of sunscreen products. This affects the unsuspecting consumer's choices in purchasing sun protection, which may be misinformed. Australia, Canada, and the US are the only countries to classify sunscreen as a form of medical therapy. This paper explores the current classification of sunscreen products in countries and regions around the world and discusses the impact of these discrepancies and similarities on the attitudes of consumers towards sunscreen use. Finally, we make suggestions on changes that can be made to encourage sunscreen use and safe sunscreen purchasing. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(8):899-904.

Objective: To estimate the economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients in Tanzania from 2005 to 2015., Design: A retrospective review of data., Setting: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority and premises dealing with importations and distributions of pharmaceuticals., Eligibility Criteria: Confiscation reports of substandard human medicines, falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Quantities and costs of pharmaceutical products, costs of transportation, storage, court cases and disposal of products., Results: The economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients was estimated at US$16.2 million, that is, value of substandard medicines US$13.7 million (84.4%), falsified medicines US$0.1 million (1%), cosmetics with banned ingredients US$1.3 million (8%) and other/operational costs US$1.1 million (6.6%). Some of the identified substandard and falsified human medicines include commonly used antibiotics such as phenoxymethylpenicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin and co-trimoxazole; antimalarials such quinine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, sulfamethoxypyrazine-pyrimethamine and artemether-lumefantrine; antiretroviral drugs; antipyretics and vitamins among others., Conclusion: The economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients represent a relatively large loss of scarce resources for a poor country like Tanzania. We believe that the observed increase in the quantities and the economic cost of these products over time could partly be due to the improvement in the regulatory capacity in terms of human resources, infrastructure and frequency of inspections., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Personal care products (PCP) contain a myriad of chemicals generally formulated to provide a safe and beneficial use. Nonetheless, an increasing amount of laboratory animal and human studies indicate that some chemicals in PCP are associated with decreased hormone production, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian cancer, and early pregnancy loss. The ovary is key to female fertility by providing the eggs and sex steroid hormones for fertilization and maintenance of reproductive function, respectively. Thus, understanding how chemicals in PCP affect the ovary will shed some light on their potential effects on female fertility. In this review, we provide an overview of: (1) ovarian function as a determinant of fertility in females, (2) the status of knowledge regarding the effects of seven common chemicals in PCP on the ovary, and (3) significant gaps in the literature along with opportunities to eliminate some of the gaps. Findings from the limited existing data suggest that chemicals in PCP such as dibutyl phthalate can reach the ovary in humans and impact its function in animal models. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to assess how relevant findings of experimental studies are to women because of lack of human exposure data for most of these chemicals and the lack of studies that mimic real-life exposures. In contrast to chemicals such as bisphenol A and dioxin, the investigation of the effects of chemicals in PCP on reproductive function is still limited and warrants further investigation to fill existing data gaps.

The sales potential of cosmetic products is greatly determined by skin feel and skin sensory performance. To please the target audience, it is important to gather information about consumers' perception of products' sensory characteristics. In this study, six different emulsions were formulated. Samples represented three different types of emulsions, including steric-stabilized oil-in-water (O/W), liquid crystal-stabilized O/W, and water-in-oil emulsions, providing different skin feel and aesthetics. Emulsions within the same group differed in the emollients, providing similar sensory attributes. The aim was to have 50 consumers evaluate the emulsions' sensory characteristics. Using a check-all-that-apply (CATA) survey, consumers provided information about their perception of appearance, rub-out, pick-up, and afterfeel. Consumers effectively discriminated between the emulsions. Statistical analysis showed significant differences for 15 sensory attributes in the before, during, and after phases. Our findings suggest that emulsifiers, and not emollients, have the dominant role in determining the aesthetics of a skin care emulsion, similar to previous findings. The fact that untrained consumers provided similar results as trained panelists suggests the validity of the CATA survey and its reliability as a screening tool in the product development process. CATA questions may serve as a viable complimentary to descriptive sensory analysis performed by trained panelists.

The industry offers a vast armamentarium of skin care products (SCP) to cleanse the skin; to reduce/eliminate unpleasant skin symptoms; to restore, reinforce, fortify and protect undamaged, vulnerable or damaged skin; and to provide a pleasant skin and body feel. Skin care products are readily available and their promotions with a variety of tall claims are omnipresent. This text discusses the various interpretations of skin care, the diversity of its comprehensions and the various groups of receivers and their needs for skin care. Skin care is part of our daily routines, the information on the effects of SCP is omnipresent and the purchase of SCP seems straightforward. However, the true essence of SCP remains concealed to many. This is mainly due to that fact that the "physico-chemical anatomy," the nomenclature and the regulatory classification of SCP as well as the role and the significance of active and inactive ingredients within these products are not well understood. This text addresses the different views, interpretations and comprehensions. The final part highlights the current challenges with SCP and gives an outlook on how to improve our mutual understanding of SCP., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Low dose, low risk; very low dose, no real risk. Setting a pragmatic threshold below which concerns become negligible is the purpose of thresholds of toxicological concern (TTC). The idea is that such threshold values do not need to be established for each and every chemical based on experimental data, but that by analyzing the distribution of lowest or no-effect doses of many chemicals, a TTC can be defined - typically using the 5th percentile of this distribution and lowering it by an uncertainty factor of, e.g., 100. In doing so, TTC aims to compare exposure information (dose) with a threshold below which any hazard manifestation is very unlikely to occur. The history and current developments of this concept are reviewed and the application of TTC for different regulated products and their hazards is discussed. TTC lends itself as a pragmatic filter to deprioritize testing needs whenever real-life exposures are much lower than levels where hazard manifestation would be expected, a situation that is called "negligible exposure" in the REACH legislation, though the TTC concept has not been fully incorporated in its implementation (yet). Other areas and regulations - especially in the food sector and for pharmaceutical impurities - are more proactive. Large, curated databases on toxic effects of chemicals provide us with the opportunity to set TTC for many hazards and substance classes and thus offer a precautionary second tier for risk assessments if hazard cannot be excluded. This allows focusing testing efforts better on relevant exposures to chemicals.

Background: Preservatives are known causes of allergic contact dermatitis., Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of preservatives in each product category in the Contact Allergen Management Program and compare prevalence with reported rates of allergic contact dermatitis., Methods: Contact Allergen Management Program product information was queried based on the 53 approved preservatives for cosmetic products by the European Union and Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus 5 additional preservatives used in US products., Results: Phenoxyethanol and parabens were the most common preservatives with 23.9% of products containing phenoxyethanol and 20.75% of products containing parabens. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) was found in 12.9% of products, most commonly in hair care and household products. Preservatives like MI and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) that are both common in products and have a high incidence of allergic contact dermatitis are of greatest concern as contact allergy hazards. Phenoxyethanol and parabens are common and have weak sensitizing power, making them preferred preservatives., Conclusions: Evaluating the prevalence of preservatives provides important information on allergen exposures. Using current positive reaction rates, the risk of sensitization to a given preservative can be more accurately estimated and may affect the use of certain preservatives by industry in the future.

This is a safety assessment of alumina and aluminum hydroxide as used in cosmetics. Alumina functions as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking agent, bulking agent, and opacifying agent. Aluminum hydroxide functions as a buffering agent, corrosion inhibitor, and pH adjuster. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated the safe use of alumina in several medical devices and aluminum hydroxide in over-the-counter drugs, which included a review of human and animal safety data. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel considered the FDA evaluations as part of the basis for determining the safety of these ingredients as used in cosmetics. Alumina used in cosmetics is essentially the same as that used in medical devices. This safety assessment does not include metallic or elemental aluminum as a cosmetic ingredient. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that alumina and aluminum hydroxide are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Cosmetic ingredients derived from Achillea millefolium function in cosmetics as skin-conditioning agents-miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agents-humectants, and fragrance ingredients. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed relevant animal and human data to determine their safety in cosmetics and raised concerns about cosmetics containing linalool, thujone, quercetin, hydroquinone, or α-peroxyachifolid. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing similar constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these components and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. Additionally, industry was advised to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities. The Panel concluded that achillea millefolium extract, achillea millefolium flower extract, and achillea millefolium flower/leaf/stem extract are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics when formulated to be nonsensitizing., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Polyquaternium-22 and polyquaternium-39 are polymers that function as antistatic agents, film formers, and hair fixatives in cosmetic products. These ingredients are being used at concentrations up to 2% (polyquaternium-22, in a rinse-off product) and up to 3% (polyquaternium-39, in rinse-off and leave-on products). The unreacted monomer content of these ingredients was considered low and of no toxicological concern. Limited data showed no skin irritation/sensitization. Although these ingredients were nongenotoxic in bacterial assays, mammalian genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity data were not available. These polymers, however, are large, highly polar molecules that would likely not be absorbed, and neither local effects in the respiratory tract nor systemic toxicity are expected following product application/exposure. The Expert Panel concluded that polyquaternium-22 and polyquaternium-39 are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetic formulations., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel (Panel) assessed the safety of 8 dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts for use in cosmetics, finding that these ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be nonirritating. The dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts primarily function as surfactants in cosmetics. The Panel reviewed the new and existing available animal and clinical data in making its determination of safety. The Panel found it appropriate to extrapolate the data on diethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate to assess the safety of the entire group because all of the diesters are of a similar alkyl chain length, all are symmetrically substituted, and all have similar functions in cosmetic formulations., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

The increasingly aged population worldwide means more people are living with chronic diseases, reduced autonomy, and taking various medications. Health professionals should take these into consideration when managing dermatological problems in elderly patients. Accordingly, current research is investigating the dermatological problems associated with the loss of cutaneous function with age. As cell renewal slows, the physical and chemical barrier function declines, cutaneous permeability increases, and the skin becomes increasingly vulnerable to external factors. In geriatric dermatology, the consequences of cutaneous aging lead to xerosis, skin folding, moisture-associated skin damage, and impaired wound healing. These problems pose significant challenges for both the elderly and their carers. Most often, nurses manage skin care in the elderly. However, until recently, little attention has been paid to developing appropriate, evidence-based, skincare protocols. The objective of this paper is to highlight common clinical problems with aging skin and provide some appropriate advice on cosmetic protocols for managing them. A review of the literature from 2004 to 2014 using PubMed was performed by a working group of six European dermatologists with clinical and research experience in dermatology. Basic topical therapy can restore and protect skin barrier function, which relieves problems associated with xerosis, prevents aggravating moisture-associated skin damage, and enhances quality of life. In conclusion, the authors provide physicians with practical recommendations to assist them in implementing basic skin care for the elderly in an integrated care approach.

With aging, skin undergoes progressive structural and functional degeneration that leaves it prone to a wide variety of bothersome and even serious conditions and diseases. As skin conditions and diseases may affect all ages from cradle to grave, a disproportionate burden will clearly fall on the elderly and may significantly impact on quality of life (QoL). With a reduced ability of the skin to regenerate, the elderly are at an increased risk of skin breakdowns from even the simplest insults. It is therefore vital that skin care in the late adulthood is seen as a priority among both clinicians and caregivers. The scientific literature on diagnosing and assessing age-related skin conditions and diseases is vast; however, when it comes to preventive care and treatment, the scientific data available is less profound, and the recommendations are often based on personal experience, opinions or at best on consensus documents rather than on scientific data retrieved from controlled clinical trials. In addition to the absence of the scientific data, the imprecise terminology to describe the topical products, as well as the lack of understanding the essence of the vehicle, contributes to vague and often unhelpfully product recommendations. This paper aims to elucidate some basic principles of skincare, the choice of skincare products and their regulatory status. The paper discusses adherence to topical therapies, percutaneous absorption in the elderly, and skin surface pH and skin care. Lastly, it also discusses skin care principles in selected age related skin conditions and diseases.

Nanomaterials are being used in cosmetic products for various effects. However, their use also raises potential safety concerns. Some of these concerns can be addressed by determining the type of nanomaterials used, as well as stability, potential for skin absorption, route of exposure, and how they are formulated in cosmetic products. There has been considerable effort internationally to harmonize approaches in order to address definitional issues and safety concerns related to the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)