Heavy metals in cosmetics: what a new 2026 review found

A systematic review published Nov 5, 2026 in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research looked at heavy metals in cosmetics sold in Saudi Arabia. Its findings include aluminum in antiperspirants and deodorants. Here is what the review reported, what it did not conclude, and how the US FDA approaches heavy metals in cosmetics.

What the review found Read the sources

Key facts

The review pooled 21 studies published between June 2007 and January 2026, covering 16 heavy metals in cosmetics sold in Saudi Arabia.
Some products exceeded permissible limits, but the authors' exposure-based health risk assessment found estimated consumer exposure to all evaluated metals stayed within acceptable safety thresholds.

Limits vs risk

Two different measures

The authors note a discrepancy: comparing products with permissible limits flagged concerns, while exposure-based risk estimates did not. They suggest limit-based compliance checks may be more conservative than exposure-based estimates (abstract).

Scope

Saudi market only

The review covers products sold in Saudi Arabia, and calls for risk-based surveillance and stronger import controls against low-quality, contaminated products from unregulated sources. It is not a test of any specific brand, and it did not test Maxim products.

FAQ

Heavy metals in cosmetics: quick answers

Which metals did the review flag?

The abstract names chromium, lead, copper and zinc as priority metals requiring regulatory attention in cosmetics sold in Saudi Arabia.

What did it say about antiperspirants?

The abstract reports that aluminum in antiperspirants and deodorants exceeded permissible limits set by international agencies. The same review's health risk assessment found estimated exposure to all evaluated metals within acceptable safety thresholds.

Is aluminum in antiperspirant a contaminant?

No. NCI explains that aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredient in antiperspirants; they are what reduce sweat. That is different from a contaminant such as lead or mercury.

What does the FDA say about heavy metals in cosmetics?

FDA says the amounts of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury and nickel it found in surveyed cosmetics were for the most part very small, and that it does not currently have information indicating those amounts would pose a health risk.

Does this review apply to US products?

Not directly. It reviewed studies of products sold in Saudi Arabia. In the US, FDA has its own surveys and recommends a maximum of 10 ppm lead as an impurity in lip products and externally applied cosmetics.

What the review found

The review evaluated 16 heavy metals across cosmetic product categories in 21 studies. The authors identified chromium, lead, copper and zinc as priority metals. They report higher mercury in skin-lightening creams, arsenic and cadmium in lip and eye cosmetics, and aluminum in antiperspirants and deodorants above permissible limits set by international regulatory agencies (PubMed abstract).

Using US Environmental Protection Agency exposure models, the authors' health risk assessment found estimated consumer exposure to all evaluated metals remained within acceptable safety thresholds.

Aluminum in antiperspirants is the active ingredient

Aluminum shows up in antiperspirants on purpose. NCI explains that aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredient and form a temporary plug within the sweat duct (NCI). The review's limit comparison does not, by itself, show harm, and its own exposure estimates stayed within safety thresholds.

For more on aluminum questions, see is aluminium in deodorant bad for you?

How the FDA looks at heavy metals in cosmetics

FDA surveyed cosmetics for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury and nickel. It found mostly very small amounts, higher in products such as eye shadows, blushes and compact powders, and says it does not currently have information indicating the amounts found would pose a health risk (FDA).

FDA recommends a maximum of 10 ppm lead as an impurity in cosmetic lip products and externally applied cosmetics, and reports that over 99% of those products on the US market contain lead below 10 ppm (FDA).

What this review does not tell you

We read the PubMed abstract; the publisher's full text was not accessible to us, so individual product measurements and study-by-study details were not reviewed. The review is about the Saudi market and does not name or test any specific brand. It is not evidence for or against any Maxim product.

Sources

Educational information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. Sources were opened and read on Nov 9, 2026. Research summaries are based on the published abstract or full text as noted; they are not evidence for any Maxim product.

Questions about a product's ingredients?

Read the label, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you have a specific health concern.

What the review found Read the sources

Educational information only, not medical advice. Maxim makes no claim about heavy-metal testing of its products on this page.