TOXICOLOGY OF HEAVY METALS USED IN COSMETICS

Cosmetics have been used by humans since the start of human civilization. Initially, it was typically consisting of natural products but to get prompt results, heavy metals were frequently added to cosmetics to accelerate the affects. Heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) are detected in various cosmetic products; most frequently in color cosmetics, hair cosmetics, face-body care products and beauty cosmetic products. These metals are included in toxic metals. The application of cosmetics to different body parts leads to the absorption of metals through the stratum corneum into the blood, accumulate or replace essential elements of different biomolecules which triggers the unfavorable mechanism. Reported data shows that in some common cosmetic products toxic metals are being used greater than permissible limit. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO) have established the highest permissible limit of exposure for heavy metals in different cosmetic products. However, commonly in developing world no care is taken for permissible limit set by FDA and WHO and to obey cosmetic production legislations which resulted in fatal health consequences. Thus, in this review article we are focusing on the permissible limits, hazardous effects of the toxic metals and mechanisms associated with the hazardous effects related to heavy metals found in cosmetics. Owing to the growing usage of cosmetics it is necessary to explore the possible sources and routs of metals toxicity to fix the hazardous effects related to heavy metals found in cosmetics.