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Information on the Öko-Test assessment of the 'Spirulina' peel-off mask
Dear customers,
we have already received a number of inquiries regarding the result in the current issue of Ökotest. We can understand the surprise very well. Unfortunately, our 'Spirulina' peel-off mask was rated "unsatisfactory" in the ECO test. Here content of heavy metals were criticized. We would like to comment on this.
This preliminary: The ÖKO-Test evaluation is about parameters that ÖKO-Test itself sets as evaluation guidelines. The result is not to be confused with a legal instance. The product criticized by ÖKO-Test corresponded and corresponds at all times 100% to the strict safety criteria of the EU Cosmetics Directive.
According to the EU Cosmetics Directive, the "Peel-off Mask Spirulina" is to be rated as a safe cosmetic product.
Before we offer an item for sale, it goes through several quality and safety checks. New items are not only tested in advance for effect, practicability, result and scent, but are also subject to strict controls with regard to the ingredients and their composition. This is of course also the case with the tested peel-off mask, which consists largely of mineral clay.
The fact that mineral clay contains heavy metals is natural and cannot be ruled out. The concentration of heavy metals plays the more important role. It must be taken into account that our face mask is a product that is mixed with water and that a dilution effect of the measurement parameters must be taken into account.
The external analysis of your product showed the following heavy metal content:
|
arsenic |
1.5 |
ppm |
|
cobalt |
2.0 |
ppm |
|
chrome |
8.0 |
ppm |
|
copper |
2.0 |
ppm |
|
nickel |
6.0 |
ppm |
|
Lead |
2.5 |
ppm |
|
zinc |
10.0 |
ppm |
Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 stipulates that traces of banned substances such as the heavy metals mentioned are only permitted if they are technically unavoidable and they do not impair the safety of the cosmetic product.
The following table shows orientation heavy metal values:
|
arsenic |
0.5 |
ppm |
|
cadmium |
0.1 |
ppm |
|
mercury |
0.1 |
ppm |
|
antimony |
0.5 |
ppm |
|
Lead |
2.0 |
ppm |
The table is taken from Technically avoidable heavy metal contents in cosmetic products, Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (2017), 1251-53 .
In comparison, the arsenic content is exceeded by 1.0 ppm and lead by 0.5 ppm. Cadmium, mercury and antimony, on the other hand, were not detected. The quoted guideline heavy metal values from the BVL refer to a typical cosmetic product with an average water content of > 50%. A dilution effect is generally achieved by the water used.
This product is an anhydrous product. Therefore there is no dilution effect from added water. Users add the water themselves and thus there is a dilution effect in the application . This means that there is never an increased heavy metal content when used by consumers.
Due to the lack of water content, a slightly increased heavy metal content cannot be avoided. The safety of the cosmetic product is fully met.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have at any time: info@puremetics.de
Greetings from Hanover
(Status: 26.10.2022)
