An analysis of the composition of cosmetics advertised as products rich in natural ingredients

Jankowiak, Aleksandra; Plichta, Danuta; Spiewak, Radoslaw

doi:10.14320/EMK.2021.002.en

Estetologia Medyczna i Kosmetologia

An analysis of the composition of cosmetics advertised as products rich in natural ingredients

Aleksandra Jankowiak, Danuta Plichta, Radoslaw Spiewak

Recommended citation format: Jankowiak A, Plichta D, Spiewak R: An analysis of the composition of cosmetics advertised as products rich in natural ingredients. Estetol Med Kosmetol 2021; 11: 002.en. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14320/EMK.2021.002.en

Abstract

A positive image of "natural" cosmetics is being created on the cosmetic market, but like any cosmetic, they may contain sensitizing or irritating substances. Aim: An analysis of the composition of shampoos and face creams promoted as products with a high percentage of natural ingredients, with particular emphasis on differences in relation to "ordinary" cosmetics, and research and evaluation of consumer opinions on "natural cosmetics". Material and methods: the selection of cosmetics with a high percentage of natural ingredients (hereinafter abbreviated as "natural cosmetics") was made on the basis of the information on the packaging regarding the percentage of natural ingredients, and the reference group was cosmetics not marked with such information ("ordinary cosmetics"). In total, data was collected for 200 cosmetics. For each product group, 50 shampoos were selected to represent rinse-off cosmetics and 50 face creams to represent leave-on cosmetics. The product compositions were analyzed in terms of the presence of irritating and sensitizing ingredients, based on the CosIng database and the Regulation of the European Parliament on cosmetic products. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted on a group aimed at assessing consumer opinion on "natural cosmetics" on a group of 200 people. The survey consisted of 15 closed questions and 1 open question. The results of the composition analysis and the answers to the questions were statistically evaluated using the Chi2 test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Among 200 cosmetics, the following were distinguished: 893 individual ingredients, 198 ingredients appearing at least 5 times, among them 17 potentially problematic ingredients occurring in both groups. The most common problematic substance in both groups turned out to be sodium hydroxide, which appeared in "natural" (67%) and "ordinary" (33%) cosmetics (p<0.001, χ2 = 23.12).Fragrances marked with the code name "Parfum" appeared in "regular" (99.0%) and "natural" (62.0%) cosmetics (p<0.001, χ2 = 43.606). For 78.6% women and 32.4% men, the content of ingredients of natural origin is important. 61% of respondents, regardless of gender, believe that "natural" ingredients are better than "synthetic". Conclusions: The vast majority of "natural" cosmetics contain potentially sensitizing and irritating ingredients as well as potentially dangerous substances that improve their attractiveness (color, fragrance). The vast majority of consumers declare that the content of natural ingredients is important, consider "natural" ingredients to be better than "synthetic" ingredients and are willing to pay more for a completely natural product.

Keywords: natural cosmetics, fragrances, preservatives, dyes, allergy

| Polish version |

Estetologia Medyczna i Kosmetologia online - www.estetologia.pl
Open Access, online ISSN 2084-2007; print ISSN 2084-199X, DOI: 10.14320/EstetolMedKosmetol
Wydawca udziela zgody na korzystanie z tego serwisu wyłącznie pod warunkiem akceptacji regulaminu oraz respektowania praw autorskich
Document created: 20 October 2021, last updated: 31 December 2021
© Radosław Śpiewak Instytut Dermatologii