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

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.