Medical
skin creams (SC) and cosmetic products (CP) specially derived from plants have natural chemicals as ingredients which are a major source of heavy metal releases. Therefore, the presence of harmful heavy metals in these materials is a matter of concern. This study has been carried out to assess the concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) in skin creams and cosmetic products that are available in Iraqi pharmacies using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Thirty-three samples from different Iraqi pharmacies of beauty creams, including 13 samples of skin creams and ten samples of cosmetic products. Health risk parameters such as chronic daily intake (CDI), total non-cancer risk (H.I.), and total cumulative cancer risk (TCCR) have been calculated. Based on the results, it is found that the average value of Zn, Fe, and Pb concentrations for SC samples in unit mg/kg were 65.33 ± 14.56, 100.52 ± 21.05, and 2.62 ± 0.64, respectively. At the same time, the average value of Zn, Fe, and Pb concentrations for CP samples in unit mg/kg were 2.30 ± 0.48, 24.18 ± 6.87, and 4.79 ± 1.18, respectively. The results of health risk exposure for SC samples were higher than those for CP samples. But, the values of health risk parameters were within acceptable limits according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Consequently, there is no potential health risk for using medical skin creams and cosmetic products in the present study by Iraqi people.
