Anti-aging skincare products are among the most popular cosmetic products due to the growing
desire to maintain a youthful appearance of the skin. Their primary purpose is to improve the
overall appearance of the skin, reduce the visibility of wrinkles, fine lines and various forms of
hyperpigmentation, increase skin hydration, and improve skin elasticity and firmness. The aim
of this bachelor's thesis was to examine the cosmetic ingredients used in selected anti-aging
products and assess their safety, as all cosmetic products placed on the market must be of high
quality, safe for use, and fulfil the purpose for which they are intended. A total of 69 products
were included in the study and classified into four groups according to their intended use and
formulation type: anti-wrinkle creams, anti-wrinkle serums, skin-brightening creams, and skinbrightening serums. Within each group, products were further divided into lower-priced and
higher-priced categories. The ingredient composition of the selected products was reviewed,
and their safety was assessed based on available toxicological data. Particular attention was
given to fragrances, colorants, preservatives, and UV filters, while toxicological data on the
most frequently occurring cosmetically active ingredients were also evaluated. Among
fragrances, limonene was the most frequently identified ingredient (31.9%), while CI 77891
(15.9%) was the most common colorant, phenoxyethanol (66.7%) the most common
preservative, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (14.5%) the most frequently occurring UV
filter. Niacinamide (46.4%) was the most prevalent cosmetically active ingredient and the only
active ingredient found in all four product groups. The comparison of the analyzed products
showed that creams more frequently contained colorants and UV filters than serums. Higherpriced products more often contained fragrances, colorants, and preservatives than lowerpriced products, indicating a greater emphasis on sensory characteristics and aesthetic
appearance, although this does not necessarily contribute to improved product safety.
Furthermore, anti-wrinkle products more frequently contained fragrances and fragrance
allergens, whereas skin-brightening products more commonly contained UV filters, which play
an important role in preventing the development of new hyperpigmented lesions. Based on the
review of toxicological data, all evaluated ingredients were found to be safe when used within
the permitted or recommended concentrations. The findings of this study indicate that the
analyzed anti-aging cosmetic products are safe for their intended use. Nevertheless, the
possibility of allergic or hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals cannot be
completely excluded.
|
