Evaluación microbiológica de productos cosméticos utilizados por el personal administrativo de la Facultad de Ciencias

Abstract

The main objective of this research study was to focus on the microbiological evaluation of cosmetic products used by the administrative staff of the Faculty of Sciences. In this sense, makeup can become a reservoir for various microorganisms capable of growing and multiplying under optimal conditions, especially when hygiene practices are inadequate. This situation poses health risks to users who make daily use of these products. For this purpose, the criteria of the NTE INEN 2867 standard on microbiological requirements for cosmetic products were applied, together with the test methods proposed by ISO 18415:2017 for detection of specific and nonspecific microorganisms. Four types of makeup products were examined: lipstick, mascara, compact powder and foundation through determinations for Mesophilic Aerobes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, using microbiological counting techniques and absence/presence and biochemical identification assays. The results indicated higher contamination in lipsticks. In addition, a relationship was established between the microbiological count data and the hygiene practices of the consumers by means of surveys on the habits of use and care of makeup. It was observed that most of them do not read the recommendations for use and storage of the product, combine several makeup products, use them until they are completely used up and share them with other people. This study highlights the need to create greater awareness of the microbiological risks associated with the use of makeup, as well as the importance of following the storage and application recommendations indicated on cosmetic product packaging.