The Hazards of traditional cosmetics used in the Islamic World

This chapter summarizes the most recent data (mainly ours) pertaining to the analysis of commercial and traditional cosmetic samples from the Islamic World. The samples included kohl and henna where both are used as traditional cosmetics and remedies in the Middle East, East, and North Africa. The analysis was done by evaluating number of spectroscopic techniques used in identifying and quantifying presence of lead and para-phenylenediamine (PPD) in these samples. Almost two thirds of the kohl samples were found to be based on lead compounds (> 85% total lead content), thus they may constitute a risk for public health, particularly children. The lead levels found in the henna samples were low with concentrations ranging from 1.29 ppm to 65.98 ppm. While the concentrations of PPD in commercial henna samples used either tattooing or hair dying ranged from 0% to 65%. The very low concentrations of lead measured in these henna samples were reassuring;however, the cumulative effects of prolonged lead exposure may be of concern. Consequently, the use of henna containing additives such as lead and PPD especially among children may constitute a public health risk.