Carbendazim (CBZ) abuse can lead to pesticide residues, which may threaten the environment and human health. In this paper, a portable three-electrode sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) was proposed for the electrochemical detection of CBZ. Compared with the traditional preparation method of graphene, LIG is prepared by exposing the polyimide film to a laser, which is easily produced and patterned. To enhance the sensitivity, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were electrodeposited on the surface of LIG. Under optimal conditions, our prepared sensor (LIG/Pt) has a good linear relationship with CBZ concentration in the range of 1–40 μM, with a low detection limit of 0.67 μM. Further, the sensor shows good recovery rates for the detection of CBZ in wastewater, which provides a fast and reliable method for real-time analysis of CBZ residues in water samples.

Owing to the rapid development of the cosmetic industry, cosmetic safety has become the focus of consumers’ attention. However, in order to achieve the desired effects in the short term, the illegal addition of hormones in cosmetics has emerged frequently, which could induce skin problems and even skin cancer after long-term use. Therefore, it is of great significance to master the illegal addition in cosmetics and effectively detect the hormones that may exist in cosmetics. In this review, we analyze the illegally added hormone types, detection values, and cosmetic types, as well as discuss the hormone risks in cosmetics for human beings, according to the data in unqualified cosmetics in China from 2017 to 2022. Results showed that although the frequency of adding hormones in cosmetics has declined, hormones are still the main prohibited substances in illegal cosmetics, especially facial masks. Because of the complex composition and the low concentration of hormones in cosmetics, it is necessary to combine efficient sample preparation technology with instrumental analysis. In order to give the readers a comprehensive overview of hormone analytical technologies in cosmetics, we summarize the advanced sample preparation techniques and commonly used detection techniques of hormones in cosmetics in the last decade (2012–2022). We found that ultrasound-assisted extraction, solid phase extraction, and microextraction coupled with chromatographic analysis are still the most widely used analytical technologies for hormones in cosmetics. Through the investigation of market status, the summary of sample pretreatment and detection technologies, as well as the discussion of their development trends in the future, our purpose is to provide a reference for the supervision of illegal hormone residues in cosmetics.

This study used expert assessment, consumer perception, and noninvasive measurements of skin physiological parameters to develop a mathematical model for characterizing facial skin laxity in Chinese females, providing the scientific basis for personalized beauty and skin-firming strategies. The study involved 64 Chinese females (18–60 years) whose facial regions were imaged using VISIA-CR. Five experts assessed facial skin laxity using VISIA-CR images, while 72 consumers compared paired images to identify higher laxity. Noninvasive measurements of skin elasticity and other parameters were taken. The data were analyzed using Bradley-Terry analysis and support vector machine regression modeling. Consistent with expectations, facial skin laxity was negatively correlated with skin elasticity R2 values and positively correlated with skin elasticity F4 values. A novel Facial Skin Laxity Index (FSLI) was introduced to evaluate product efficacy in reducing laxity. Facial skin laxity can be characterized and quantified using a combination of expert assessments, consumer perceptions, and noninvasive measurements. The FSLI enables precise evaluation of product performance in improving facial skin laxity.