Cosmetic Testing Lab

With thorough testing, we make sure your products meet the highest industry standards.

What is cosmetic testing?

Cosmetic testing is a broad term given for various tests conducted to assess the safety, effectiveness, and quality of cosmetics, both in chemical and microbiological aspects, to ensure that they all meet regulatory standards and are safe for human use. These tests may include, but are not limited to, testing potential allergens, toxicity, stability, performance, and bioburden testing. Testing helps manufacturers comply with industry guidelines and ensure consumer safety.

Why test cosmetic products?

Cosmetic products must be tested to protect consumers from health risks associated with the use of contaminated products, such as irritation, allergic reactions, or infections. Testing ensures that the product is safe for use, complies with legal regulations and performs as claimed. Ultimately, testing helps instill confidence in consumers and maintain the quality of the products.

Regulatory requirements for cosmetic testing services

Regulatory requirements for cosmetic testing services vary by region, but they generally aim to ensure product safety and efficacy. In the EU, cosmetics must comply with the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, which prohibits animal testing and requires safety assessments, including microbiological and stability testing. In the U.S., the FDA regulates cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), requiring accurate labeling and safe ingredients. Globally, manufacturers must follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ensure compliance with specific standards like ISO 22716 for quality control and product safety.

Microbial testing for cosmetics

Microbial testing of cosmetics and personal care products ensures that the products used by consumers are safe and free from harmful microorganisms. This testing is also required to meet the safety standard set by regulatory agencies and to obtain approvals for the sale of products in a global market. At MIS, Preservative Efficacy Test, also known as the Challenge Test and Microbial Limits Test, are two commonly performed tests.

Preservative Efficacy Test / Challenge for cosmetic testing labs

Cosmetic products do not need to be sterile, but the preservatives added in cosmetic products must be capable of inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms, ensuring the safety of consumers and increasing the shelf life of the product. However, preservatives sometimes fail to hinder microbial proliferation.
Preservative efficacy testing is done to ensure that microbial growth is controlled throughout the shelf life of the product by the chosen preservatives. In this test, product samples are challenged with a higher number of microbes to assess how well a formulation can withstand microbial contamination during storage and practical usage.

Microbial Limits Test for personal care product testing

Microbial Limits Tests serve to quantify the number of viable microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, in non-sterile products like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This test helps in determining whether the microbial load within a given product is within the required acceptable limits in order to meet set safety standards. Cosmetic product testing usually employs these limits tests to arrive at a conclusion regarding the safety of the product.

Test methods for cosmetics

Microbiological testing for cosmetics follows several international standards to ensure consistency and reliability.
  • USP 61
Microbial Enumeration Test
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  • Aerobic Plate Count
Estimation of Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria
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  • ISO 16212
Enumeration of yeast and mold
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  • ISO 21149
Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria
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  • ISO 21322
Testing of impregnated or coated wipes and masks
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  • ISO 11930
Evaluation of the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product
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  • USP 51
Antimicrobial Effectiveness Testing
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  • PCPC testing ( (formerly CTFA)
Determination of the Microbial Content of Cosmetic Products
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  • USP 60
Ensuring Safety in Non-Sterile Medical Products
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  • USP 62
Microbial Enumeration of Non-Sterile Products: Tests for Specified Microorganisms
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  • ISO 18415
Detection of specified and non-specified microorganisms
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  • ISO 18416
Detection of Candida albicans
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  • ISO 22718
Detection of Staphylococcus aureus
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  • ISO 22717
Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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  • ISO 21150
Detection of Escherichia coli
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  • ISO 21149
Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria
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  • PCPC testing ( (formerly CTFA)
Determination of the Microbial Content of Cosmetic Products
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Organisms tested in our cosmetics testing laboratory

Bacteria

Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), MRSA (ATCC 33591), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708)

Fungi

Candida albicans (MTCC 3017), Aspergillus niger (ATCC-16888)

Scope of cosmetic products tested at MIS

At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we use the latest testing techniques to determine the safety and quality of cosmetic goods. Hair care, skincare and beauty products are some of the products that we cover in our testing. All cosmetic products undergo rigorous testing to meet the set requirements as required by law.
Shampoos and Conditioners
Hair Serums and Gels
Hair Sprays
Moisturizers and Creams
Lotions and Sunscreens
Face Washes and Serums
Lipsticks and Lip Balms
Foundations and CC Creams
Eye Makeup Products

Why trust MIS as
your cosmetic product testing lab?

Textiles must be tested in accordance with various regulatory standards to ensure compliance and international market acceptance. These regulations often vary depending on the region, industry and the intended use of the product. For example, in European countries, the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) for chemical safety governs the testing of textile products, while in the United States, CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) for children’s products takes over the responsibility of textile products safety for children specifically.
ISO certifications, such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management, respectively, play a crucial role in ensuring that textile products meet international standards. For specific antimicrobial properties of textiles, certifications such as ISO 20743 or ISO 18184 are widely recognised. Compliance with these standards assures that textiles have been rigorously tested and are guaranteed to meet global standards for safety, performance and sustainability.

Cosmetic testing capabilities

At Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), our key cosmetic product testing capabilities include microbiological testing, Preservative Efficacy Testing, Stability Testing, and Allergen and Irritant Testing. These capabilities at MIS help ensure that your cosmetic products meet stringent industry regulations and maintain consumer trust.

Importance of cosmetic microbiology testing

Maintains product quality

Preserves the integrity, stability, and shelf life of cosmetic products by minimizing microbial growth.

Compliance with regulations

Helps manufacturers meet industry standards and regulatory requirements for cosmetic safety.

Prevents product recalls

Early detection of microbial contamination reduces the likelihood of costly recalls and damage to brand reputation.

Validates manufacturing practices

Ensures that raw materials, production processes, and storage conditions adhere to quality standards.

Supports consumer confidence

Builds trust in the brand by demonstrating a commitment to product safety and quality.

Enables market access

Compliance with microbiological testing standards facilitates entry into international markets.

Other Industries

Entomology

Paints

Disinfectants & Sanitizers

Textile

Plastics

Frequently Asked Questions

How to test for bacteria in cosmetics?
Some of the most commonly used methods include the Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC). These tests often involve a standard sample collection process, serial dilution, plating on selective media, and incubation to identify and quantify bacterial contamination.
What methods are used by cosmetic testing labs to test cosmetic products?
Cosmetic testing labs use various standard test methods to assess the quality of the cosmetics. Some of them include ISO 16212, ISO 21149, PCPC methods, USP 61, USP 62, and more.
What is microbial testing?
Microbial testing is a process used to detect and quantify microorganisms in various samples, including food, water, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and clinical specimens. It ensures that products and environments meet safety and quality standards by identifying potential contamination by bacteria, yeast, molds, viruses, and other pathogens.
What is cosmetic microbiology?
Cosmetic microbiology is a specialized branch of microbiology that focuses on the study of microorganisms in cosmetic products and their manufacturing environments. It encompasses the detection, identification, and control of microbial contamination in cosmetics to ensure product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
What is the purpose of microbiological testing for cosmetics?

Microbiological testing of cosmetics aids in the evaluation of the safety and quality of products by checking for microbial presence and preventing contamination. It also helps meet compliance with set regulations, thus protecting the consumer from possible infections and allergic reactions.

What function do preservatives perform?
The main function of a preservative in cosmetics is to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and mold. They also help extend the shelf life of these products by preventing spoilage and contamination.

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