Cosmetic Testing Services
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 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.
Cosmetic microbiology testing methods performed at MIS
Microbiological testing for cosmetics follows several international standards to ensure consistency and reliability. Here are some key standards and guidelines adhered to by MIS:
ISO standards for the cosmetic testing
- ISO 16212: 2017 – Enumeration of yeast and mold
- ISO 21149: 2017 – Enumeration and detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria
- ISO 18416: 2015 – Detection of Candida albicans
- ISO 22718: 2015 – Detection of Staphylococcus aureus
- ISO 22717: 2015 – Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- ISO 21150: 2015 – Detection of Escherichia coli
- ISO 21322: 2020 – Testing of impregnated or coated wipes and masks
- ISO 11930: 2019 – Evaluation of the antimicrobial protection of a cosmetic product
- ISO 18415: 2017 – Detection of specified and non-specified microorganisms
Personal Care Products Council (PCPC Test) formerly CTFA for cosmetics and personal care products
- PCPC M-1 – Determination of the Microbial Content of Cosmetic Products
- PCPC M-2 – Examination for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- PCPC M-3 – Preservation Testing of Water-Miscible Personal Care Products
- PCPC M-4 – Preservation Testing of Eye Area Cosmetics
- PCPC M-5 – Preservation Testing of Nonwoven Substrate Personal Care Products
- PCPC M-6 – Preservation Testing of Atypical Personal Care Products
For more information read our page about PCPC Test Methods.
Importance of Cosmetic Microbiology Testing
Cosmetics products are prone to microbial contamination. This is mainly due to various factors such as poor manufacturing practices, storage conditions and the quality of raw materials used in the production process. Microbial testing of cosmetics is important to ensure that the products are free from microbial contaminants which could otherwise lead to serious health issues such as skin allergies, irritations, bloodstream infections and other health issues. Thus, cosmetic product testing helps in identifying and mitigating these risks effectively.
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.
Examples of Cosmetic products tested at MIS Cosmetic Testing Lab
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
Hair care products
- Shampoos and Conditioners
- Hair Serums and Gels
- Hair Sprays
Skincare products
- Moisturizers and Creams
- Lotions and Sunscreens
- Face Washes and Serums
Beauty products
- Lipsticks and Lip Balms
- Foundations and CC Creams
- Eye Makeup Products
Why trust MIS as your Cosmetic Product Testing Lab ?
At MIS, our testing facilities are well-equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling us to conduct meticulous microbiology testing for a diverse range of cosmetics and personal care products. We carry out extensive assessments on raw ingredients, and intermediate and finished products at various stages of processing. Our services in the field of cosmetic product testing guarantee accurate outcomes and adherence to global norms.
We are committed to delivering accurate and high-quality test results to our customers, offering invaluable support for developing premium quality products.
To know more about our microbiology testing services for cosmetics, please contact our experts here.
FAQs on Cosmetic Testing Services
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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✓ Completed test order form (TOS)
✓ Customization and Assistance to determine the right test for your project
✓ FAST TRACK Program with less Turnaround Time
