Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41097388›Full record

ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Molecular Networking in Cosmetic Analysis: A Review of Non-Targeted Profiling for Safety Hazards and Bioactive Compounds.

Li Li, Shuo Li, Ji-Shuang Wang, Di Wu, Guang-Qian Xu, Hai-Yan Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Li LiNational Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.ORCID 0009-0007-8421-459X
Shuo LiNational Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China.ORCID 0009-0004-9320-6506
Ji-Shuang WangNational Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.ORCID 0009-0009-8309-5781
Di WuNational Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.ORCID 0009-0009-6773-4408
Guang-Qian XuTraditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.ORCID 0009-0009-6888-8230
Hai-Yan WangNational Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5662-6596

Funding

This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the Youth Development Research Foundation of NIFDC (grant number 2022FY101202) / (grant number 2025C8)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Molecular networking (MN) is a novel mass spectrometry data analysis method that has advanced significantly in recent years and has rapidly emerged as a popular technique. By visualizing the connections between structurally similar compounds in mass spectra, MN greatly enhances the efficiency with which harmful substances and bioactive ingredients in cosmetics are screened. In this review, we summarize the principles and main categories of MN technology and systematically synthesize its progress in cosmetic testing applications based on 83 recent studies (2020 to 2025). These applications include screening banned additives, analyzing complex matrix components, and identifying efficacy-related ingredients. We highlight MN's successful application in detecting prohibited substances, such as synthetic dyes and adulterants, with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1-1 ng/g, even in complex matrices, such as emulsions and colored products. MN-guided isolation has enabled the structural elucidation of over 40 known and novel compounds in the analysis of natural ingredients. We also discuss current challenges, such as limitations in instrument sensitivity, matrix effects, and the lack of cosmetic-specific component databases. Additionally, we outline future prospects for expanding MN's application scope in cosmetic testing and developing it toward computer-aided intelligence. This review aims to provide valuable references for promoting innovation in cosmetic testing methods and strengthening quality control in the industry.

Indexed as

CosmeticsMass SpectrometryHumansCosmeticscosmetic quality and safetyillegally added substancesmolecular networkingnatural active ingredientsnon-targeted analysistandem mass spectrometry

Identifiers

PMID41097388
PMCPMC12526295

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.