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Review
. 2025 Apr 5;17(4):e81759.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.81759. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Assessing the Adverse Effects and Safety Concerns Related to Cosmetic and Skincare Products: A Systematic Review

Rimaz Sami Alyahya  1 , Maha A AlHasson  2 , Mnahal A Ali Alhsaon  3
Affiliations
Review

Assessing the Adverse Effects and Safety Concerns Related to Cosmetic and Skincare Products: A Systematic Review

Rimaz Sami Alyahya et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Cosmetics and personal care products are essential for personal hygiene and appearance; however, their safety remains a key concern due to associated adverse effects. This systematic review aims to evaluate the adverse effects and safety concerns related to skincare products and to analyze product characteristics and usage patterns for improved consumer safety. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and adopted diverse database searches across PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 2014-2024. Only peer-reviewed and cross-sectional studies were included along with a data extraction sheet, and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was utilized for quality assessment. Data synthesis involved descriptive and qualitative analysis to identify common themes and implications. Nine studies were included in the review, comprising 4,569 participants across geographically diverse regions. The common adverse effects reported included acne (36%), redness (27%), itching (19%), and skin irritation (18%). Ingredient analysis identified that fragrances, preservatives, and colorants are commonly related to adverse effects. Usage patterns like frequency and duration of usage were correlated with the likelihood of adverse effects. The review focused on significant adverse effects linked with cosmetic and personal care products, highlighting the necessity for better awareness, clear labels, and strict regulations. Enhanced customer education and following safety protocols are crucial to minimize risks and ensure product safety.

Keywords: adverse effects; cosmetic safety; personal care products; skincare products; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The PRISMA flow chart for the study
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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