Determination of 19 Illegally Added Chemical Ingredients in Hair Loss Prevention Cosmetics by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to detect 19 illegal chemical additives in hair loss prevention cosmetics. This method achieved separation within 20 minutes and demonstrated good linearity, with limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) ranging from 0.025-0.05 μg/g and 0.075-0.15 μg/g, respectively. Recovery experiments showed average recoveries between 68.6% and 118.6%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.3%-10.3%. Screening of 77 cosmetic samples identified two batches adulterated with high levels of minoxidil (60 mg/g) and finasteride (0.31 mg/g), posing significant safety risks. The method is noted for its simplicity, high sensitivity, and reproducibility, making it suitable for rapid screening and quantitative analysis of illegal chemicals in hair loss prevention products.