Aziz, Nurul Fatin Fakhira Abdul (2026) Determination of selected heavy metal concentrations in a blusher cosmetic of different colour shades. Project Report. Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Submitted)
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Abstract
Blusher, as one of the cosmetic products widely used by consumers, playing a pivotal role in potential health risks. This study endeavours to delve into the concentration of heavy metals in blusher cosmetics of various colour intensity, and to evaluate whether colour intensity influences heavy metal content. A study was carried out on one brand of blush pellet consisted of 6 different tones of colour intensities which purchased from online platform with the highest sold numbers. The blush samples were categorised by its colour intensities starting from very low (SA), low (SB), medium low (SC), medium high (SD), high (SE), and very high (SF) colour intensity. The concentrations of selected heavy metals namely lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) following acid digestion. The concentration of selected heavy metals varied according to the following trend: Cr (17.321 to 21.998 mg/kg) > Pb (12.329 to 17.820 mg/kg) > Cd (4.838 to 6.011 mg/kg), except for sample A (SA) as it follows trend: Pb (27.250 mg/kg) > Cr (23.430 mg/kg) > Cd (5.795 mg/kg). The results showed that Pb and Cd exceeded permissible limits set by ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) and National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) of Malaysia in selected samples, while Cr exhibited comparatively higher concentrations despite the absence of a specified regulatory limit. Furthermore, statistical analyses like Spearman’s rank correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests were employed to evaluate relationship and differences in metal concentrations among samples. The statistical results indicated variability in heavy metal concentrations across blush samples, with no consistent association was observed between colour intensity and heavy metal concentration, thus, the heavy metals contamination in blush cosmetics varies among products and is not solely influenced by colour intensity. The results of this study can be a basis for future studies on cosmetic manufacturing quality control and regulatory monitoring process.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Project Report) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | heavy metal |
| Subjects: | R Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research |
| Divisions: | Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus) > Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan (School of Medical Sciences) > Monograph |
| Depositing User: | MUHAMMAD AKIF AIMAN AB SHUKOR |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Aug 2026 08:19 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Aug 2026 06:52 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64840 |
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