Determination of Heavy Metals and Hydroquinone Contents in Cosmetic Products Sold in Sudan

Nowadays, the use of facial makeup among most Sudanese ladies becomes very popular without being aware about the potential dangers that can threaten their health while using these cosmetics. Several facial cosmetics available in Sudanese markets are unsafe. A questionnaire survey and statistical analysis were employed in this investigation. Actual participants size (500) were females, university students (70%), employees ladies (20%), house wives (7.5%) and others (2.5%). It was found that 80% of the participants are used to apply makeup, 32% apply local cosmetic preparations; 40%, share or borrow makeup; 14%, do not store makeup properly; 40%, have never read the ingredients list; the majority, do not use natural and homemade cosmetics; several, suffer from harmful effects due to the use of cosmetics. In this study, thirty samples of Skin-lightening creams (local and imported) were analyzed for total hydroquinone by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Most of the creams samples analyzed for hydroquinone had concentrations more than the US Food and Drug Administration’s acceptable limit of 2.0% the detected percentage was 5.7% in most of the samples. However, the percentage of local preparation cream having hydroquinone content higher than the recommended WHO limit of 2% was only 23%.