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Potential side effects of toxic and restricted substances found in cosmetics declared to be of natural origin.

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Title: Potential side effects of toxic and restricted substances found in cosmetics declared to be of natural origin.
Authors: Koncz D; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary., Nemeth MA; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary., Pallagi E; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary., Tóth B; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary., Csupor D; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.; Institute for Translational Medicine Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
Source: Frontiers in public health [Front Public Health] 2026 May 20; Vol. 14, pp. 1801090. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 May 20 (Print Publication: 2026).
Publication Type: Journal Article; Review
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Frontiers Editorial Office Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101616579 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2296-2565 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 22962565 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Front Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office
MeSH Terms: Cosmetics*/adverse effects , Cosmetics*/chemistry , Cosmetics*/toxicity , Consumer Product Safety* , Biological Products*, European Union ; Humans
Abstract: Introduction: Cosmetic products are an integral part of daily life. However, although the regulatory framework for such products appears strict, customer safety and product quality are not guaranteed. A large proportion of consumers prefer using cosmetic products that contain natural substances to avoid exposure of their skin to chemicals. Nevertheless, some of the products marketed to meet this need are not natural or even safe.
Methods: This article presents an overview of reports on cosmetic products declared to be of natural origin in the European Union Safety Gate system between 2005 and 2023.
Results: Many reported cosmetic products posed a chemical risk by containing unauthorized substances (64%) or exceedance of authorized limits (14%). Butylphenyl methylpropional (also known as lilial) was the dominant ingredient present in several product categories. Microbial contamination was also detected (12%), but at a markedly lower rate compared to that recorded for the presence of chemicals (79%).
Conclusion: Use of the term "natural" to describe cosmetic products can be misleading because it does not always comply with the criteria for natural and organic cosmetic components. Importantly, such cosmetic products could pose a serious risk to consumers due to hidden unsafe substances. Hence, implementation of appropriate measures is necessary to ensure consumer safety.
(Copyright © 2026 Koncz, Nemeth, Pallagi, Tóth and Csupor.)
Competing Interests: The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: BMHCA; EU safety gate; cosmetovigilance; greenwashing; natural cosmetics
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Cosmetics)
0 (Biological Products)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260605 Date Completed: 20260611 Latest Revision: 20260611
Update Code: 20260612
PubMed Central ID: PMC13230110
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1801090
PMID: 42245339
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Potential side effects of toxic and restricted substances found in cosmetics declared to be of natural origin.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Koncz+D%22">Koncz D</searchLink>; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Nemeth+MA%22">Nemeth MA</searchLink>; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Pallagi+E%22">Pallagi E</searchLink>; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Tóth+B%22">Tóth B</searchLink>; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Csupor+D%22">Csupor D</searchLink>; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.; Institute for Translational Medicine Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22101616579%22">Frontiers in public health</searchLink> [Front Public Health] 2026 May 20; Vol. 14, pp. 1801090. <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 May 20 (<i>Print Publication: </i>2026).
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  Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics%22">Cosmetics*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics+adverse+effects%22">adverse effects</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics%22">Cosmetics*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics+chemistry%22">chemistry</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics%22">Cosmetics*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Cosmetics+toxicity%22">toxicity</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Consumer+Product+Safety%22">Consumer Product Safety*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Biological+Products%22">Biological Products*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22European+Union%22">European Union</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introduction: Cosmetic products are an integral part of daily life. However, although the regulatory framework for such products appears strict, customer safety and product quality are not guaranteed. A large proportion of consumers prefer using cosmetic products that contain natural substances to avoid exposure of their skin to chemicals. Nevertheless, some of the products marketed to meet this need are not natural or even safe.<br />Methods: This article presents an overview of reports on cosmetic products declared to be of natural origin in the European Union Safety Gate system between 2005 and 2023.<br />Results: Many reported cosmetic products posed a chemical risk by containing unauthorized substances (64%) or exceedance of authorized limits (14%). Butylphenyl methylpropional (also known as lilial) was the dominant ingredient present in several product categories. Microbial contamination was also detected (12%), but at a markedly lower rate compared to that recorded for the presence of chemicals (79%).<br />Conclusion: Use of the term "natural" to describe cosmetic products can be misleading because it does not always comply with the criteria for natural and organic cosmetic components. Importantly, such cosmetic products could pose a serious risk to consumers due to hidden unsafe substances. Hence, implementation of appropriate measures is necessary to ensure consumer safety.<br /> (Copyright © 2026 Koncz, Nemeth, Pallagi, Tóth and Csupor.)
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  Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20260605 <i>Date Completed: </i>20260611 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20260611
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      – SubjectFull: Cosmetics toxicity
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