Qualitative and quantitative assessment of hydroquinone in skin whitening cosmetics in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand
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Abstract
Background: Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin bleaching agent, but it has unfavorable effects including contact dermatitis and ochronosis. Therefore, it got prohibited by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand. However, some cosmetics companies are still illegally using hydroquinone as a cosmetic ingredient that can affect on consumer health.
Objectives: To assess the hydroquinone contamination in skin whitening cosmetic products in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand.
Materials and methods: Fifty skin whitening cosmetic samples were collected from local markets in Lak Hok Subdistrict, Muang District, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. Screening test for hydroquinone contamination was performed by using hydroquinone test kit-2 from Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health. All samples were confirmed by using Thin-layer Chromatography (TLC) technique. The hydroquinone concentration was estimated by using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique.
Results: Nine of the 50 samples showed a positive result in hydroquinone test kit-2, but only 3 of the 9 positive samples found hydroquinone contamination based on TLC and HPLC analysis. The concentration of hydroquinone was 0.0005, 0.0009, and 0.0016%.
Conclusion: Six percent of skin whitening cosmetics in local markets of Lak Hok Subdistrict, Muang District, Pathum Thani Province found hydroquinone contamination. Therefore, consumer should concern about their safety and checked the manufacture’s information prior making a purchase decision.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
References
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