ABSTRACT: Despite global restrictions like the Minamata Convention, heavy metal contamination in cosmetics remains a critical public health concern, with limited cross-country comparative data on heavy metal concentrations in cosmetics across Asian markets. We measured Hg, Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Cr, and Ni contents in 189 cosmetic products purchased in 2022 in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Samples were screened by handheld X-ray fluorescence; Hg was quantified by a direct mercury analyzer and As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Sb were quantified by ICP-OES. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to characterize metal co-occurrence patterns, and Monte Carlo simulation was applied to estimate dermal systemic exposure dose, hazard quotients (HQ), and lifetime cancer ri
