In recent years, interest in the ingredients contained in cosmetics has grown significantly, driven by the growing awareness of the importance of products that are safer for the skin and respectful of the environment. In this context, attention has also focused on the presence of metals such as nickel. Nickel is an element that is naturally present in the environment, in soil and water. Consequently, plants absorb nickel from the soil and incorporate it into their tissues. This also means that many plant-based ingredients, including foods such as cocoa, chocolate, tomatoes and lentils, may contain traces of nickel. It is also used to make metal alloys and therefore can be released during manufacturing processes that use metal elements, or simply from metal containers used for packaging. Given its widespread use, nickel can also be found in cosmetics and detergents, representing a potential source of sensitization for many people. In fact, nickel is also a very common allergen : it can cause skin reactions such as dermatitis, itching and redness, even to a very marked extent in sensitive subjects. For this reason, those who suffer from nickel allergies must pay particular attention when choosing cosmetic and personal care products. Nickel Free or Nickel Tested? Many people choose products labeled “Nickel Free” thinking that they are completely nickel-free. However, no current technology can guarantee the absolute absence of nickel in cosmetics. Nickel is a widespread element and can be present in traces even in the most controlled products. The wording “Nickel Free” is therefore not permitted on labels to avoid misleading consumers, especially those with allergies. What does “Nickel Tested” mean? A product labeled “Nickel Tested” has been subjected to specific laboratory tests to verify that the nickel content is less than 1 part per million (ppm), or 0.0001% (corresponding to 1 mg in 1 kg of product). This value, recommended by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, represents the safety threshold below which the risk of allergic reactions is considered very low for most sensitive people (with the exception of highly sensitized subjects, especially in the presence of irritated or damaged skin). How are nickel tested products tested? Nickel tested cosmetics are essential for companies that aim to ensure consumer safety, responding to a growing demand for skin-safe products. To ensure minimum levels of nickel, cosmetics are subjected to laboratory tests, such as mass spectrometry, plasma emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption, which detects even very low traces. The most attentive companies carry out checks on each production batch and report the quantity detected on the label, for example “Nickel Tested <0.0001%”. What should you pay attention to when choosing a product? When choosing a product, it is important: Check the Labels: Prefer products from certified brands, which carry out tests on each batch and declare the quantity of nickel detected on the label . Therefore, check for the presence of the words “Nickel Tested” followed by the analytical value (<1 ppm or <0.0001%) Beware of false claims: Be wary of products that display expressions such as “Nickel Free”, “Zero Nickel” or similar: these are prohibited claims and are in any case misleading. Trust R5 The Beauty products of the R5 line represent an excellent choice in this sense. With carefully studied formulas, with ingredients of natural origin, dermatologically tested and rigorously Nickel tested to guarantee levels lower than 1 ppm. In fact, we perform nickel tests for each production batch and from the batch number we are able to trace the specific test, if it were necessary for particularly sensitive people, to have timely data. Following a beauty routine that respects your skin without compromise and that also uses formats that have less impact on the planet is a small, but significant, step towards 360-degree well-being.
