Laboratory Testing for Cosmetic Products

What Is Cosmetic Laboratory Testing?

Cosmetic laboratory testing involves evaluating your product to confirm its safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulatory standards in your target market. These tests ensure that your products are safe for consumers and meet the required specifications for claims and performance.

At Biorius, we manage the testing process as part of your compliance journey, ensuring everything is aligned, efficient, and ready for market approval.

How Biorius Supports Your Lab Testing Needs

Biorius acts as your single partner for both regulatory compliance and testing coordination. We ensure that every required test is properly identified, executed, and integrated into your compliance files.

Our support includes:

Identifying Required Tests: We determine exactly which tests are needed based on your product, claims, and target markets.
Managing the Testing Process: We coordinate all testing activities to ensure quality, timelines, and regulatory alignment.
Analyzing and Integrating Results: We interpret results and incorporate them into your Product Information File and safety assessments.
Ensuring Full Compliance: We make sure all test data supports your regulatory submissions, including CPNP and other notifications.

Types of Cosmetic Lab Tests Required

Biorius brings trusted expertise and worry free solutions to your regulatory compliance needs. Acting as your Responsible Person in the EU, UK, and Canada, and as your US Agent, we handle every detail so you can focus on growth.

Stability Testing

A stability test evaluates the durability and integrity of cosmetic products throughout their lifecycle. Here’s what it involves:

The test assesses how well the product holds up under various conditions, such as temperature and light, from production to the end of its shelf life.
It evaluates key factors like pH, viscosity, color stability, and compatibility with its packaging.
Conducted over at least three months, the test simulates transport and storage conditions to ensure safety and efficacy.
Results determine the product’s shelf life and recommended “use-by date” after opening.

A complementary compatibility test may also be performed at the same time to check for interactions between the product and its packaging.

Challenge Testing

A challenge test (also known as PET or Preservative Efficacy Test/Study) evaluates the effectiveness of preservatives in a cosmetic product by assessing their ability to control microbial growth. The product is exposed to specific pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger) and monitored over 7, 14, and 28 days.

The test measures the reduction in pathogens to confirm the preservative’s efficacy, ensuring the microbiological safety of the product.

Microbiological Testing

Microbiology analysis ensures the product is free from contamination during the production phase. It involves measuring:

Total aerobic microorganisms
Yeast and mold

Depending on the type of product and its formulation, this test may not always be required. However, when performed, it is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of the product.

Efficacy Testing

By evaluating the product’s functionality under real-world conditions, efficacy tests ensure that claims are not only compelling but also truthful and compliant with regulatory standards. This process builds consumer trust and aligns with industry regulations.

SPF Testing

SPF testing is essential for sunscreens and sun protection products to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accurate labeling. For the European Union, tests must align with EU Recommendation 2006/646/EC and include:

SPF Assessment (In Vivo)
UVA Protection
Water Resistance Testing

These tests are critical for ensuring that sunscreen products meet EU standards, providing reliable protection against UV radiation while maintaining transparency and consumer trust.

Safety Testing

Safety testing is a crucial step in ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for consumers. Depending on the type of product and its formulation, specific tests may be required to assess potential risks.

Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT)
This skin irritation test, conducted under dermatological supervision, evaluates the potential for irritation or sensitization. Products that pass this test can carry the claim “dermatologically tested.”
Eye Irritation Test
This test assesses the risk of eye irritation caused by a cosmetic product or its ingredients, ensuring safety for products intended for use near the eyes.

The choice of tests depends on the product’s intended use, its target audience, and regulatory requirements, ensuring consumer safety and compliance with industry standards.

From defining the right testing strategy to integrating results into your compliance files, we ensure every step is handled with precision and efficiency.