Evaluation of heavy metals and their probabilistic Health risk in various cosmetics available in Saudi Arabian markets- a national comprehensive systematic review

Cosmetic products (CPs) marketed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) may contain heavy metals (HMs) that pose potential health concerns. This systematic review evaluated 16 HMs across CP categories, based on 21 studies published between 1 June 2007, and 30 January 2026. Among CPs available in KSA markets, chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were identified as priority metals requiring regulatory attention. Higher mercury (Hg) concentrations in skin-lightening creams, arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in lip and eye cosmetics, and aluminum (Al) in antiperspirants and deodorants exceeded permissible limits (PLs) established by international regulatory agencies. In contrast, the health risk assessment (HRA) based on United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) exposure models indicated that estimated consumer exposure to all evaluated HMs from CP use remained within acceptable safety thresholds. This discrepancy suggests that PL-based compliance assessments may be more conservative than exposure-based risk estimates. Currently, HM monitoring in KSA’s CPs mainly compares with PLs set by organizations such as WHO, FDA, and the EU. The findings support risk-based surveillance and targeted monitoring, especially for product categories and metals with high concentrations. Saudi authorities should strengthen import controls to prevent low-quality, contaminated CPs from unregulated sources.