Environmental impact of dermatological products: A systematic review on ecopharmacovigilance.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i1.656Keywords:
Ecopharmacovigilance; Dermatologic Agents; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Environmental Pollution; Drug Waste; Ecotoxicity.Abstract
Introduction: Ecopharmacovigilance constitutes a strategic approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating environmental risks. Currently, the extensive use of dermatological products and pharmaceuticals has increased the release of residues into the environment, turning them into contaminants with potential ecotoxicological impacts, particularly when their management and final disposal are inadequate. Objective: To analyze the environmental impact of dermatological products from an ecopharmacovigilance perspective through the evaluation of existing strategies for the safe management of their residues. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases, applying the PRISMA model during the selection process. Studies published between 2020 and 2025, in English and Spanish, that met the inclusion criteria were included. Results: The findings reveal deficiencies in the management of dermatological waste and a direct association with water contamination, endocrine disruption, and the development of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need to strengthen environmental protection through improved management practices in the pharmaceutical field. Conclusions: Ecopharmacovigilance not only expands the traditional scope of pharmacovigilance but also represents a strategic opportunity to improve the quality of dermatological care, reduce the environmental impact of dermatological medicines and products, and effectively contribute to the development of strategies for the safe management of their residues.
Downloads
References
Albini, A., Corradino, P., Morelli, D., Albini, F., & Noonan, D. (2025). Cosmeceutical and Dermatological Potential of Olive Mill Wastewater: A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Source of Natural Ingredients. Cosmetics. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040142 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040142
Amangelsin, Y., Semenova, Y., Dadar, M., Aljofan, M., & Bjørklund, G. (2023). The Impact of Tetracycline Pollution on the Aquatic Environment and Removal Strategies. Antibiotics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030440 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030440
Atallah, C., Abiad, A., Abiad, M., Nakad, M., & Assaf, J. (2025). Bioengineered Skin Microbiome: The Next Frontier in Personalized Cosmetics. Cosmetics. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12050205 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12050205
Baltazar, L., & Campos, N. (2025). The importance of rational use of antibiotics in reducing environmental and public health impacts: A critical review. Research, Society and Development. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i2.48271 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i2.48271
Barker, R. (2025). Corporate sustainability reporting. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2024.107280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2024.107280
Barrett, E., Wadie, K., Getz, K., Greenberg, P., Moore, T., & Llanos, A. (2025). Evaluating personal care product use by Environmental Working Group hazard scores in relation to consumers’ sociodemographic characteristics, purchasing behaviors, and product safety perceptions. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 35, 921 - 932. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00751-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00751-9
Bell, A., Vaughan, E., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Cable, J., Temperton, B., & Tyler, C. (2025). Impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations of antibiotic cocktails on the skin microbiome of Eurasian carp (Cyprinus carpio). Animal Microbiome, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-025-00434-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-025-00434-8
Benìtez Pardillo, T., Espiñeira, O. J., Molina, E. V., Tinoco, M. E. R., & Pozo, K. D. C. (2022). Desarrollo de competencias para la elaboración de fórmulas magistrales en estudiantes de Asistencia en Farmacia. Revista Conecta Libertad ISSN 2661-6904, 6(3), 77-87. https://revistaitsl.itslibertad.edu.ec/index.php/ITSL/article/view/310/492
Chaturvedi, P., Shukla, P., Giri, B., Chowdhary, P., Chandra, R., Gupta, P., & Pandey, A. (2021). Prevalence and hazardous impact of pharmaceutical and personal care products and antibiotics in environment: A review on emerging contaminants.. Environmental research, 110664 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110664 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110664
Cusumano, G., Flores, G., Venanzoni, R., Angelini, P., & Zengin, G. (2025). Green Solutions to a Growing Problem: Harnessing Plants for Antibiotic Removal from the Environment. Antibiotics, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14101031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14101031
Doyle, C., O’Boyle, M., & McKenna, D. (2025). P071 The views of dermatology patients concerning the environmental impact of their biologic medication. British Journal of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljaf085.099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljaf085.099
Du, J., Liu, Q., Pan, Y., Xu, S., Li, H., & Tang, J. (2023). The Research Status, Potential Hazards and Toxicological Mechanisms of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics in the Environment. Antibiotics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12061058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12061058
Ferrández, O., Grau, S., Colominas-González, E., Navarrete-Rouco, M., Carballo-Martínez, N., De Antonio-Cuscó, M., Fernández-Sala, X., Rio-No, L., Romera, O., Malagon, M., Rodriguez, S., Rius, N., Durán-Jordá, X., Rodríguez-Caba, C., Casas-Sánchez, J., Herranz, F., & Pontes-García, C. (2024). Dispensation of outpatient hospital medicines by hospital only versus hospital-community pharmacies collaboration: a cross-sectional study and survey of patient’s satisfaction. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1335265 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1335265
Gupta, A., Thornbush, M., & Wang, T. (2025). Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections. International Journal of Dermatology, 64, 1349 - 1355. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17908 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17908
Han, J., & Kim, H. (2025). Microplastics in Cosmetics: Emerging Risks for Skin Health and the Environment. Cosmetics. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040171
Hanna, N., Tamhankar, A., & Lundborg, S. (2023). Antibiotic concentrations and antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments of the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions: a systematic review and probabilistic environmental hazard assessment.. The Lancet. Planetary health, 7 1, e45-e54 . https://doi.org/10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00254-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00254-6
Haykal, D., Flament, F., Payne, C., Schalka, S., Philippe, M., Rolland, O., Mora, P., Cartier, H., & Dréno, B. (2025). Sustainability in Cosmetic Dermatology: Moving Toward an Ecologically Responsible Future. Dermatology and Therapy, 15, 2687 - 2701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01488-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01488-x
Just-Sarobé, M. (2025). Sunscreens and Their Impact on Human Health and the Environment: A Review. International Journal of Dermatology, 64. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17800 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17800
Kalmari, J., Mäkelä, I., Hytönen, V., Huhtala, H., Hyöty, H., Laitinen, O., & Sinkkonen, A. (2025). Microbial extract as a nature exposure material reduces the need for atopic dermatitis medication. . https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.04.25325234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.04.25325234
Kulik, K., Lenart-Boroń, A., & Wyrzykowska, K. (2023). Impact of Antibiotic Pollution on the Bacterial Population within Surface Water with Special Focus on Mountain Rivers. Water. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050975 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050975
Kumah, E., Fopa, R., Harati, S., Boadu, P., Zohoori, F., & Pak, T. (2023). Human and environmental impacts of nanoparticles: a scoping review of the current literature. BMC Public Health, 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15958-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15958-4
Li, D. (2025). Impact of green advertisement and environmental knowledge on intention of consumers to buy green products. BMC Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02538-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02538-x
Lim, H. (2025). Healing in a Greener Future: Sustainable Pathways for Dermatology. JEADV Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1002/jvc2.70101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jvc2.70101
Lim, P., Griffiths, T., Sheppeard, R., Gan, A., Wernham, A., & Tso, S. (2025). Exploring the environmental sustainability of dermatology conferences. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 39. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20652 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20652
Liu, Y., Cai, D., Li, X., Wu, Q., Ding, P., Shen, L., Yang, J., Hu, G., Wu, J., & Zhang, L. (2023). Occurrence, fate, and risk assessment of antibiotics in typical pharmaceutical manufactories and receiving water bodies from different regions. PLOS ONE, 18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270945
Makwana, K., Mehta, A., & Ambechada, J. (2025). A New Era in Skincare: The critical role of biosurfactant-producing bacteria in creating biodegradable, non-toxic and skin-friendly cosmetic products. Journal of Advances in Microbiology Research. https://doi.org/10.22271/micro.2025.v6.i1b.203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/micro.2025.v6.i1b.203
Meena, R., Sharma, S., Sagar, V., & Meena, R. (2023). Self-Medication practices in dermatological diseases: a cross-sectional questionnarire based study. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2023v16i9.49012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2023v16i9.49012
Mota, S., Rego, L., Sousa, E., Cruz, M., & Almeida, I. (2025). Usage Frequency and Ecotoxicity of Skin Depigmenting Agents. Pharmaceuticals, 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030368 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030368
Murray, L., Hayes, A., Snape, J., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Gaze, W., & Murray, A. (2024). Co-selection for antibiotic resistance by environmental contaminants. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, 2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-024-00026-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-024-00026-7
Narciso, A., Caracciolo, B., & De Carolis, C. (2023). Overview of Direct and Indirect Effects of Antibiotics on Terrestrial Organisms. Antibiotics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12091471 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12091471
Nguyen, D., Nguyen, T., Lin, C., Dinh, T., Le, G., & Li, L. (2023). Challenges of methadone maintenance treatment decentralisation from Vietnamese primary care providers' perspectives.. Drug and alcohol review. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13613 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13613
Niebel, D., Tso, S., Parker, E., Rosenbach, M., Tan, E., Thio, H., Coates, S., Andersen, L., Wolstencroft, P., Hecker, C., Saha, S., & De Berker, D. (2025). Environmental Impact of Dermatology and Action Towards It: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Dermatology, 64, 1388 - 1400. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17810
Niebel, D., Tso, S., Parker, E., Rosenbach, M., Tan, E., Thio, H., Coates, S., Andersen, L., Wolstencroft, P., Hecker, C., Saha, S., & De Berker, D. (2025). Environmental Impact of Dermatology and Action Towards It: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Dermatology, 64, 1388 - 1400. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17810 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17810
Nkya, I., Gebrezgi, F., Luswetula, A., Mbwambo, J., & Saleem, H. (2025). Implementation Challenges and Opportunities in Decentralized Methadone Service Delivery. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7565402/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7565402/v1
Scheinkman, R., Dender, L., Kannikal, J., Farhadi, L., Sharifi, S., & Nouri, K. (2025). An Analysis of the Electronic Waste Produced by Dermatological Clinics. Dermatology, 241, 308 - 311. https://doi.org/10.1159/000546225 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000546225
Sharma, S., Chauhan, A., Ranjan, A., Mathkor, D., Haque, S., Ramniwas, S., Tuli, H., Jindal, T., & Yadav, V. (2024). Emerging challenges in antimicrobial resistance: implications for pathogenic microorganisms, novel antibiotics, and their impact on sustainability. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1403168 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1403168
Sousa, M., Machado, I., Simões, L., & Simões, M. (2025). Biocides as drivers of antibiotic resistance: A critical review of environmental implications and public health risks. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2025.100557 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2025.100557
Tan, E., Saha, S., & Niebel, D. (2025). Plastics in dermatology: A review and solutions. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 39, 1715 - 1724. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20537 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20537
Vanaria, R., Bhupalam, V., Marrero-Perez, A., Chaudry, A., Awad, N., & Nestor, M. (2024). Environmental Impact and Sustainability Associated with the Practice of Dermatology.. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 18 2, 50-55 . https://doi.org/10.25251/skin.8.supp.498 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25251/skin.8.supp.498
Ziaul, I., & Shuwei, W. (2023). Environmental Sustainability: A Major Component of Sustainable Development. International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science. https://doi.org/10.38142/ijesss.v4i2.296 DOI: https://doi.org/10.38142/ijesss.v4i2.296
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 María Claudia Vinces Obando, Talhita Benitez Pardillo, María del Rosario Herrera Velázquez, Mario Fleitas Díaz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Eres libre de:
- Compartir : copiar y redistribuir el material en cualquier medio o formato
- Adaptar : remezclar, transformar y desarrollar el material
- El licenciante no puede revocar estas libertades siempre y cuando usted cumpla con los términos de la licencia.
En los siguientes términos:
- Atribución : Debe otorgar el crédito correspondiente , proporcionar un enlace a la licencia e indicar si se realizaron cambios . Puede hacerlo de cualquier manera razonable, pero no de ninguna manera que sugiera que el licenciante lo respalda a usted o a su uso.
- No comercial : no puede utilizar el material con fines comerciales .
- CompartirIgual — Si remezcla, transforma o construye sobre el material, debe distribuir sus contribuciones bajo la misma licencia que el original.
- Sin restricciones adicionales : no puede aplicar términos legales ni medidas tecnológicas que restrinjan legalmente a otros hacer algo que la licencia permite.
