Quality control laboratories in cosmetics manufacturing are responsible for ensuring that all required regulatory controls are met for sampling and testing because residues of heavy metals in cosmetics can be toxic.
Possible sources of metals contamination in cosmetics can be derived from basic ingredients, color additives, or from processing. Therefore, it is important to analyze ingredients and finished products carefully and often for critical trace elements. Controls should be performed on the basis of defined test methods.
Using regulatory guidance from FDA for typical elements of concern, this paper reports the effectiveness of using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry, an analytical technique characterized by relatively simple sample preparation, ease of use, and by its precision. Analytical results are reported using a next generation SPECTRO XEPOS ED-XRF spectrometer.