Analytical Methods and GAPI Assessment Used for the Determination of Toxic Metals in Commercial Cosmetic Products: A Review

Abstract

Background: The toxic metal content of cosmetics causes worry because of the daily and repeated use of these products, which are placed over thin and sensitive areas of the skin such as the face, eyelids, and lips. Objective: Toxic metals like Fe, Cr, Hg, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As are determined in various types of cosmetics such as colour cosmetics, hair cosmetics, body and face care products, and herbal cosmetics. Last studies estimate that in commercial cosmetics toxic metals might present in amounts making a risk to human health. Methods: Many analysis methods used for determining toxic metals in cosmetics were established. The instruments involving FAAS, ICP-AES, ICP–MS, Hydride generation, Cold vapor, and CE spectrometers with many novel methods were described in this review. Green analytical methods should be developed for determining toxic metals in cosmetics and particularly during the preparation of analytical cosmetic samples. Results: The most tools used for assessing analytical protocols related to green analytical chemistry are GAPI (Green Analytical Procedure Index). GAPI gives good information on the safety of analytical chemistry procedures, depending on the five pentagrams shaped with three color symbols that can be used (green, yellow, and red) referring to low, medium to high impact, respectively. Conclusion: This review offers an overview, analytical chemistry methods and instruments used for the estimation of toxic metals in cosmetics and their GAPI assessment.