Abstract

Sanchita Choubey*, Aboli Kulkarni, Komal Awale and Suchitra Godbole

ABSTRACT

Commercial cosmetic products have been reported to be responsible for serious skin infections, which were often ignored as the sources or vehicles of transmission of microorganisms. Cosmetic products need not be sterile but may contain low levels of microbial load during use. This study was conducted to determine and compare the level and type of microbial contaminants in commercial cosmetic products sold in the market. Five brands of commercially available cosmetic talcum powders were purchased from the markets of Pune city. The bacterial load in different commercially available talcum powders was evaluated. A serial dilution technique was carried out and plating was done by using standard spread plate technique. The efficacy of preservatives was evaluated by challenging the talcum powder. High bacterial load was observed in all the samples tested; all the products were found to be contaminated to varying degrees. This may be due to poor manufacturing process, poor hygiene, and contaminated raw materials. It is concluded that poor microbiological quality of the preparations investigated can be attributed to either a problem inherent in the formulation of this brands and / or poor manufacturing hygiene. It is hoped that the implementation of good manufacturing practice in the cosmetic industries will improve the microbiological quality of these products.