Evaluation of Microbial Contamination of Eye Make up Product: Mascara

Abstract

Eyes are one of the most important features when it comes to beauty. Various cosmetics are used to enhance their level of attractiveness like mascaras, eyeliners eye shadow among many more. Out of these above products mascara is the one which amplifies the eyelashes to look thick and long thus providing people with glamorous look to the eyes. But these cosmetic products must be safe to use by the consumers. In our study different brands of 15 mascara samples were randomly purchased from various cosmetic shops from suburbs of Delhi and examined microbiologically as per Indian Standard on cosmetics. Quantitative results of total microbial count ranged from 10² to 10⁸cfu g^-1, whereas, in case of Yeast and Mould it was from 60 to 10⁷cfu g^-1. Presence of microbial contamination in all examined mascara samples was found to be very high as compared to fungal count. Total microbial count, yeast & mould count exceeded the expected standard by considerable margin. Out of the 15 samples Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in 6 samples whereas Staphylococcus aureus was found in 4 samples. However, none of the mascara samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli. The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus was found to be 40%, 47% and 27% respectively. Staphylococcus aureus is an organism associated with common infections caused due to any damage to the eye balls. Whereas, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common agents in eye infections like conjunctivitis, keratitis and opthalmitis.Contamination in mascara may be a result of poor hygiene, contaminated raw materials or the susceptibility of the ingredients present in the cosmetic eye preparations.

Key words: Mascaras, Microbial Contamination, Pathogens.