Multi-metric health risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in cosmetics: A comparative analysis of makeup, henna and skin creams.

This study quantified thirteen metal impurities in 113 cosmetic products using validated ICP-MS. Widespread contamination was observed, with 50.4% of samples exceeding international limits. The highest concentrations occurred in pigment-rich products: cadmium reached 3052 mg/kg in blusher, lead 131 mg/kg in face powder, and chromium 11145 mg/kg in black henna. Risk assessment indicated safety concerns for high-use facial products. These items generated substantial systemic exposure (e.g., 35.29 mg/kg bw/day for face powder), resulting in low safety margins (MoS <1), high cumulative Hazard Indices (up to ∼140 000), and elevated lifetime cancer risks (LCR up to 4.7 × 10-5). Conversely, lipsticks and creams contributed minimally to overall exposure. As dermal absorption varies by anatomical site and formulation, the results represent health-protective screening estimates intended to support risk prioritization and regulatory evaluation. Within this framework, pigment-rich cosmetics and chromium-based henna emerged as the main contributors to metal-related risk, highlighting the need for tighter impurity controls and stronger regulatory oversight.