Determination of Adulteration in Hair Serums by LC-HRMS

The study introduced a new LC-HRMS method to detect undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients—minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, and clobetasol propionate—in hair serums. The method proved to be highly precise and accurate. It revealed that two out of three top-selling hair serums in Turkey contained high levels of these compounds, which were not listed on the product labels. Minoxidil was found in significant amounts in two brands, while finasteride and clobetasol propionate were detected in one serum, and finasteride and dutasteride in another. This discovery indicates a public health risk and underscores the need for regulatory oversight and consumer awareness to ensure safe use and prevent adverse health effects.