Determination of prostaglandin analogs in cosmetic products by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

•We determined 16 prostaglandin analogs in cosmetic products using HPLC-MS/MS.•The QuEChERS extraction method was used for sample preparation.•Thirty-one cosmetic products were surveyed, and 13 contained prostaglandin analogs.•The concentrations of analytes detected ranged from 27.4 to 297 μg/g.

A method was developed and validated for the determination of 16 prostaglandin analogs in cosmetic products. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Efficient, Rugged, Safe) liquid–liquid extraction method, typically used for pesticide residue analysis, was utilized as the sample preparation technique. The prostaglandin analogs were chromatographically separated and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Thirty-one cosmetic products were surveyed, and 13 products were determined to contain a prostaglandin analog with amounts ranging from 27.4 to 297 μg/g. The calculated concentrations for the cosmetic products were in a similar range when compared to the concentrations of three different prostaglandin analog-containing prescription products.