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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2012, 15(2): 97-105pl  Use of parabenes in cosmetics available on the Polish and Ukrainian marketKatarzyna Biczyk 1/, Iryna Vermenitsheva 2/, Bogdan Hromovyk 2/, Tomasz Zaprutko 1/, Lucjusz Zaprutko 1/ 1/ Wydział Farmaceutyczny, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu, Polska 2/ Wydział Farmaceutyczny, Narodowy Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Daniła Halickiego we Lwowie, Ukraina Summary Introduction. Parabens are known to be a popular preservative in pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. However, in the end of XX century it has been reported that parabens might contribute to potentially side effects. Experts´ opinions about parabens in cosmetics are different and the subject needs further research. Aim. The main aim of the study is to collect and present information about the percentage of individual parabens contained in cosmetics, which are available in neighboring, but different European markets: Polish and Ukrainian. Material and methods. Cosmetics available in drugstores, pharmacies, shops and markets in both countries were analyzed. The research was conducted in the first half of 2011 in Poznan and Koszalin (Poland) and Lviv (Ukraine). Data about 1000 products in Poland and 800 in the Ukraine were collected. Obtained results are expressed as absolute values and presented in percentage. Results. Parabens are contained in 73.2% of products on the Polish market and 51.5% of products on the Ukrainian market. Such a difference might be a result of the fact that in Poland 26.1% of evaluated cosmetics are imported products, whereas in the Ukraine 68.9% come from foreign countries. Many of products contain buthyl and prophyl parabens on both markets. The majority of products preserved with parabens are body and breast cosmetics (Poland) and not rinsed cosmetics (in both countries). Conclusions. Despite of the discussions and conducted researches concerning the safety of using parabens in cosmetics, they are still present in many products on both markets. Generally the number of cosmetics containing parabens is larger on the Polish market. It should be clearly marked whether the cosmetic is free of parabens. Key words: parabenes, parabenes usage, exposure to parabenes, cosmetics in Poland, cosmetics in Ukraine |