Cosmetic Applications

• Titanium and Zinc in Sunscreen
• Iron, Titanium and Zinc in Base Makeup
• Toxic Metlas in Cosmetics
• Metal Dyes in Cosmetics

The cosmetics market lends itself to the XRF method since many additives in cosmetics are mineral or metallic in nature, or are organics with a heavier element attached that is measurable by XRF. Here are a few well-known applications.

Titanium and Zinc in Sunscreen
Titanium dioxide is used in most sunscreens to help prevent UV radiation burns. The concentration is high and easily measured by XRF. Zinc is also used in sunscreens as a UV blocking agent. back to top

Iron, Titanium, and Zinc in Base Makeup
Flesh colored base makeup's usually contain black iron oxide, red iron oxide, and titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide which are white. The ratio of these oxides determines the shade. XRF has been used to measure total iron, and other major components. back to top

Toxic Metals in Cosmetics
Cosmetic component are usually analyzed for toxic components to ensure that they are safe. Many of the more sensitive WDXRF and EDXRF analyzers can be used for measuring toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in cosmetic products. back to top

Metal Dyes in Cosmetics
Some of the brightly colored dyes like those in eye shadows and fingernail polishes contain metallic dyes that can be measured by XRF. back to top