Risk factors influencing contamination of customized cosmetics made on-the-spot: Evidence from the national pilot project for public health

Abstract

Customized cosmetics made by consumers or sellers on-the-spot have several safety issues, and therefore require a preventative approach to their safety management. The present study aimed to identify potential factors affecting the safety of customized cosmetics made on-the-spot. Heavy metals and microbial contaminants in customized cosmetics were analyzed in 120 samples. It was revealed that the transfer of cosmetics to new containers during the production process is a significant risk factor for cross-contamination and that heat treatment is crucial for reducing the number of microorganisms in the products. For instance, cosmetics made with heat and with no transfer showed relatively low microbial counts ranging from not detected to 440 CFU/ml. The high pH (>pH 10) of samples did not guarantee the microbial safety of the freshly made cosmetics (with a rinse-off product having 2,830 CFU/ml and a pH of 11.2). There was no significant difference in microbial counts among cosmetic types (P > 0.05); however, semisolid types, especially creams and rinse-off products, were susceptible to contamination (maximum 2,710 and 2,830 CFU/ml, respectively). Most microorganisms in the customized cosmetics (40.8%) decreased to non-detectable levels during 60 days of storage. None of the samples harbored heavy metals. Sequencing analysis of isolates revealed some bacteria and mold that could cause human infections. The results of this study suggest that the regulation of customized cosmetics should consider the risk factors revealed in this study, as the products made on-the-spot are also final products sent directly to consumers. South Korea, the 8 th largest cosmetic market in the world 1 , is at the forefront of the customized cosmetic trends. In 2016, the South Korean government conducted a pilot project on customized cosmetics targeting products made on-the-spot by readily producing bases and ingredients for colors, scents, and functionalities according to the consumer's preference 2. Customized cosmetics, such as consumer-fit skincare products, makeup products, and perfume, have already been sold in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, etc 3-6. This pilot project was the world's first governmental activity for the assessment and development of customized cosmetics made on-the-spot by consumers or sellers in the market. Cosmetics are important vehicles of transmission of pathogens in people's daily lives 7. Most cosmetics, including customized cosmetics, contain an abundant amount of water and nutrients 8 , thereby providing good substrates for the survival of a variety of microorganisms 9. The microbial contamination of cosmetics and the survival of microorganisms deteriorate the quality of the cosmetic and seriously affect human health 8,10,11. Although safety issues resulting from contaminated cosmetics are currently rare 12 , product recalls still occur worldwide due to microbial contamination of the products 13,14. Cosmetics are not required to be sterile; however, the safety of the products after they have been sold to ...

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