This study was undertaken in order to determine the concentration of heavy metals in selected personal care products purchased within Akure city, Nigeria. It was undertaken to make a comparative metal composition in personal care products with information reported in different literature. Samples were anlysed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) after dry ashing. The mean concentration was analysed in the samples for Cr, Cd, Co, Mn, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cu while also the estimated daily intake and health risk index are considered. The concentration of Mn in face powder samples has the highest with a range of ND (not detected) to 3.30 mg/kg followed by Zn concentration with a range of 0.35 to 0.47 mg/kg. Metals of Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd were not detected for most of the samples, while the concentration of Mn Cu and Zn were detected mostly with a mean concentration of Mn ranging from ND to 0.37 mg/kg for eye pencil samples, 0.04 to 0.13mg/kg for soap samples, and 0.05 to 0.07mg/kg. The possible effects of metals have both acute and chronic effects and this has called for the continual need of government agencies to regulate the toxic metals in consumer products including personal care products.
Keywords: Personal Care Products, Health Risk Index, Oral Reference Doses, Heavy Metals, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy