In this work, a total of 135 personal care product samples that belong to seven different classes
(Creams for face, body, and hands, Dried powder for face, Body lotion, Skin whitening creams,
Sunscreens, Dead Sea black mud cosmetics, Lipsticks, and Eye shadows) were analyzed for
their contents of 11 elements (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Sr, Ba and Bi). The analysis has
been conducted using ICP-AEOS following combinations of acid digestion. The mean
concentrations of these elements in ppm (μg g-1) were found to be in the following order: Fe
(5.39×103) > Zn (4.92×103) > Mn (260.) > Ba (227) > Sr (103) > Bi (88.5) > Cu (58.6) > Cr (3.92)
> Se (3.03) > Ni (2.49) > Co (0.520). These values are not expected to be toxic to humans.
However, exposure over long periods might cause accumulation of the elements in the body and
even at low concentration some metals could initiate allergic reactions. Among the known
allergenic metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co) Cu was detected in all the analyzed samples (100%) and
Ni was detected in 92% of the samples. Of the 135 samples tested, 14.1% contained all four
allergenic metals, and 14.8% contained both Co and Cr, which are known to work synergistically
to cause allergy. At the above levels, these products are not expected to cause significant
allergic effects.