High-Throughput Quantitation of Toxic Impurities in Hair and Skincare Products Using Headspace-SIFT-MS

This application note describes a method for the rapid and simultaneous quantitation of benzene, 1,4-dioxane, and formaldehyde in personal care products (PCPs). Nine retail hair and skincare products from the United Kingdom were analyzed, with limits of quantitation (LOQs) for benzene in the low-ng g−1 range and 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde in the sub- and low- μg g−1 range, respectively. Preliminary results indicate that SIFT-MS holds an 8- to 30-fold throughput advantage when compared to conventional gas chromatography (GC-MS).