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Assessment of Microbial Contamination and Metabolite Exposure in Cosmetic Products Used in Women's Beauty Salons
1Department of Microbiology, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.
Background:
An important route of microbial transmission is the shared use of these products in beauty salons. We aimed to investigate level of contamination with microorganisms and their metabolites in shared-use cosmetics in several women's beauty salons.
Methods:
Bacterial and fungal strains from 320 opened/used cosmetic samples were identified according to the Iranian standards for microbial quality of cosmetic products in Golestan Province (North of Iran) during Jul-Sep 2021. In order to assess production of toxins and protease by the predominant bacterial and fungal isolates, multiplex-polymerase chain reaction and the Lowry protein assay were performed, respectively.
Results:
Microbial contamination was detected in 180 samples (56.5%), and the highest and lowest rates of microbial contamination were related to skin products (63.88%) and eye beauty products (20%), respectively. The highest level of S. aureus contamination (> 4,000 colony-forming units/g) was found in toner and face wash samples, and the highest level of C. albicans contamination was seen in lipstick samples (>20,000 colony-forming units/g). Only one (2%) S. aureus isolate produced staphylococcal enterotoxin B, while 3 out of 12 (25%) C. albicans isolates were able to produce protease.
Conclusion:
The shared-used health and beauty products, face products, in the study area are heavily contaminated. Therefore, it is essential to store used cosmetics in dry and cool places, establish strict inspection regulations for cosmetic products before and after entering the market, and increase awareness of beauty salon workers regarding the appropriate use, sanitary control, and maintenance of health and beauty products.
Insights
Shared cosmetics in beauty salons show high microbial contamination, with skin products most affected. This highlights the need for better hygiene practices and regulations to prevent disease transmission from beauty products.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cosmetic Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Shared use of cosmetic products in beauty salons is a significant route for microbial transmission.
- Investigated microbial contamination and metabolite production in shared-use cosmetics from women's beauty salons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the level of microbial contamination in shared-use cosmetics.
- To identify microorganisms and their metabolites in these products.
- To assess the risk of pathogen transmission in beauty salon environments.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 320 opened/used cosmetic samples from beauty salons in Golestan Province, Iran (Jul-Sep 2021).
- Identified bacterial and fungal strains based on Iranian standards for cosmetic microbial quality.
- Assessed toxin and protease production using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction and Lowry protein assay.
Main Results:
- Microbial contamination found in 56.5% of samples; skin products had the highest contamination rate (63.88%).
- High levels of *Staphylococcus aureus* detected in toner and face wash; *Candida albicans* highly prevalent in lipstick samples.
- One *S. aureus* isolate produced staphylococcal enterotoxin B; 25% of *C. albicans* isolates produced protease.
Conclusions:
- Shared health and beauty products, particularly facial cosmetics, are heavily contaminated in the studied area.
- Recommendations include proper storage of cosmetics, strict market inspection regulations, and enhanced worker awareness on sanitary control.
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