Abstract:
Lipstick is a face-care cosmetic that commands a unique market as it is one of the most affordable
cosmetic products available with as many of women using it regularly. This study aimed to determine the
level of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cd, Cr and Pb) in lipsticks of different origin, brands
and colors categories sold in the cosmetic shops in Ambo town and Addis Ababa city of Ethiopia and
evaluate the potential health risk due to daily ingestion of heavy metals in lipsticks. The lipstick samples
analyzed were carefully purchased from cosmetic’s shops within different origin, brands and color. The
lipstick samples were digested using wet digestion method with the help of strong acids (HNO3 and HClO4)
and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) prior to the determination of heavy metals by Flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy (FAAS). The FAAS analysis revealed the presence of high elevated mean metals’
concentration in lipstick samples analyzed. The mean concentration levels of heavy metals of lipstick
samples of different brands originally from china were ranged from 2.22 ± 0.00 - 8.58 ± 1.07, 29.16 ± 2.39 -
591.33 ± 1.95, 2.87 ± 4.06 - 22.49 ± 0.7, 10.03 ± 1.22 - 93.56 ± 2.96, 19.44 ± 4.81-50.00 ± 0.00, 0.14 ± 2.51
- 5.22 ± 3.07, and 104.57±4.98 - 3720.39 ± 6.58 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Ni, Co and Fe, respectively.
Similarly, the mean concentration levels of heavy metals in different brands of lipstick samples originally
from saudi arabia were ranged from 318.45 ± 1.69 - 358.99 ± 7.74, 1.17 - 3.12 ± 3.38, 7.40 ± 2.44 - 45.89 ±
1.22, 3796.74 ± 96.83 - 6883.3 ± 8.62, 33.33 ± 0.00 - 44.44 ± 9.92 and ND - 2.41 ± 0.00 mg/kg for Zn, Pb,
Mn, Fe, Ni and Cu, respectively. In addition, measured mean concentration levels of heavy metals in
different brands of lipstick samples originally from Dubai ranged from 4.38 ± 2.97 -170.48 ± 0.98, 601.33 ±
76.95 - 6052.13 ± 81.17, 44.44 ± 9.92 -50 ± 0.00, 0.14 ± 2.51, and BDL-10.92 ± 3.38, LOD-7.40 ± 2.44 and
ND-2.22 ± 0.00 mg/kg for Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Pb and Cu, respectively. The findings revealed a substantial
difference in lead content across lipsticks from different brands categories, with the highest Pb mean
concentration levels (20.03 mg/ kg and 22.49 mg/ kg) were found in China origin comfort beauty lipsticks
(CH-03 (red color) and CH-04 (pink color). Furthermore, the result of risk assessment for non-carcinogenic
health risk showed that the majority studied heavy metals cause human health risk up on exposure through
oral ingestion.
