Abstract:

Cosmetic risk substances refer to the substances that are brought in by cosmetic raw materials or produced or brought in during the production process, and may cause potential harm to human health. Cosmetics have gradually become indispensable personal care products in people’s daily life. With the continuous expansion of the cosmetics consumer market, the diversified characteristics of cosmetic products, under the influence of fashion trends, make the consumer groups more extensive. The increase in people’s safety awareness and the frequent occurrence of cosmetic safety incidents in recent years have shown that the current situation of cosmetic safety in China is not optimistic. Cosmetics are daily-use chemical industrial products, and they are applied to the surface of human skin for a long time, which are closely related to the health and vitality of users. The safety of cosmetics is important. Cosmetic risk substances are paid special attention to by cosmetic companies and regulatory authorities in cosmetic safety assessment. Herein, the source of cosmetic risk substances was introduced. Combined with the importance of risk assessment and the possible influences of cosmetic risk substances on human health, many cosmetic risk substances such as dioxane, heavy metals, nitrosamines, asbestos, phenol, etc., were listed. The existing testing methods and the relevant testing methods in the “Cosmetics Safety Technical Specifications” were summarized. Moreover, the research progress for cosmetic risk substances in China, EU, US and Japan was also summarized in terms of regulations and policies, risk assessment and detection methods.

Key words: cosmetic risk substance, testing method, regulation