The regulation of cosmetic ingredients in products available for purchase online but originating outside of Australia is the responsibility of the country of origin. Many countries have regulations in place to protect consumers, but there is potential for cosmetic product lines or their ingredients to go unregulated in some countries.
Without regulation, there is no certainty that a cosmetic product is safe to use. Numerous cosmetic products originating from overseas have been found to contain unsafe levels of heavy metals.
Products to look out for in particular include eye liners, eye shadows, mascaras, foundations, face powders and lipsticks. Products that are most likely to be contaminated are products made with methods handed down through generations or that promote a particular concept of health care. Some products have been reported as having been used traditionally for hundreds of years in some countries.
Kohl (also known as al-kahal, or kajal or surma)
Kohl is an additive that is used in many countries to traditionally darken the appearance of the eyes. In most countries, Kohl is made using safe ingredients. However, the use of lead based ingredients has been reported. When lead based Kohl is applied to the skin, the lead can be adsorbed through the skin leading to increased levels of lead in the body and the potential for serious long term health problems.
Henna (otherwise known as Mehdi)
Henna is derived from a reddish brown plant-based dye and is used in many places around the world to decorate the skin. In Australia, Henna is only permitted as a hair dye and prohibited in products applied directly on the skin because it can cause skin irritation.
Black henna
Black henna, also used as a skin decoration around the world, is sometimes promoted instead of henna because it is darker and lasts longer. Some 'Black Henna' is known to be mixed with paraphenylenediamine (PPD) to give it the black colour. PPD is a toxic chemical and illegal for use on skin in Australia.
Natural/naturally derived or organic cosmetics
Cosmetics labelled as natural or organic can include unsafe ingredients (chemicals) that are derived from natural sources. In such instances, the source may be safe however, the method of extracting the chemical can alter the chemical composition of the product making it unsafe to use in a cosmetic.
Examples include heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic which occur naturally in the environment. Because they occur naturally in substances being used in the manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for unregulated cosmetics such as lipsticks, foundations and face powders to contain unsafe levels of heavy metals.
These metals may also occur unintentionally at trace levels because they are naturally occurring. In Australia, regulations require manufacturers to ensure that any such contamination does not exceed risk-based guidelines.
Ayurvedic cosmetics
Ayurveda originated in India and promotes the use of herbs, minerals or metals in health care. In Australia and many other countries, ayurvedic cosmetics have become synonymous with good health. However; many traditionally prepared skin preparations contain extracts of herbs and metals like arsenic and mercury. These products have the potential to cause skin irritation and more serious systemic toxic health effects when used improperly or when prepared by inexperienced Ayurvedic practitioners.