Spectroscopic Analysis of Lipsticks for the Traces of Heavy Metals: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Heavy metal impurities are typically discovered in cosmetic products since they are abundant naturally. Lipstick's metal concentration has raised health concerns across the globe. This is so because applying cosmetics to the face always starts with lipstick. Since they are a potential source of daily, widespread, and frequently longterm exposure to a range of chemicals, the safety of cosmetic and personal care products has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Hazardous heavy metals are included in cosmetics and other products in general, which can cause a multitude of health issues. Therefore, they ought to be kept to a minimum use wherever it is technically feasible. Analysing the levels of harmful heavy metals present in commercially available cosmetic products is important for reducing exposure to those substances. In this study, we investigated the levels of a few harmful heavy metals in lipsticks, such as lead, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and chromium. For this purpose, we have studied around 50 research articles that explain the spectroscopic analysis of lipsticks for the traces of heavy metals. This article includes the determination of levels of these toxic heavy metals by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Due to its hyphenated nature, low cost, quick analysis time, and reliable results, the atomic absorption spectroscopic (AAS) methodology is currently the one that is most frequently employed for metal ion detection despite the availability of a number of other methods.