Assessment of heavy metals concentrations in commercially available lipsticks in Pakistan

Heavy metals in cosmetics pose a high threat to human health. In the current study, heavy metals were detected in 15 locally manufactured lipsticks purchased from the native markets in Lahore, Pakistan, using three different techniques. Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr and Ni were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry whereas Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, As and Pb were detected qualitatively using proton induced x-ray emission. X-ray diffraction identified presence of sodium erbium fluoride, quartz (SiO2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), halite (NaCl), calcite (CaCO3), sucrose (C12H22O11), green cinnabar (Co/Zn oxides), silicon and silica (SiO2). The health risk assessment showed that there exist a potential threat to consumers due to presence of these elements in lipsticks. All samples contained heavy metals in concentrations exceeding the safe limits provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration.