Abstract:
Objective To know the current situation of preservatives in cosmetics sold on market, and look into the trend of using preservatives in cosmetics.
Methods The situation, kinds, frequency of using preservatives in 668 cosmetics samples were investigated; the frequency of using preservatives was partly compared between imported and domestic cosmetics; and the use of different kinds of cosmetics was also analyzed.
Results A total of 17 kinds of preservatives have been found in 668 cosmetic samples. About 15 kinds of preservatives have been found in 391 domestic cosmetics samples and 16 kinds of preservatives have been found in 277 imported cosmetics samples. The frequency of using 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (MIT) and benzyl alcohol was varied from imported cosmetics to domestic cosmetics; and the current situation of using preservatives in different kinds of cosmetics are not the same.
Conclusion Two or more preservatives have been used mostly in 668 samples, the frequency of using 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts and esters (45.51%) and 2-phenoxyethanol (36.38%) ranked the top two.