Solutions / Cosmetics testing services

Cosmetics testing services

Cosmetic products require a comprehensive set of laboratory tests before they can be brought to market safely and in compliance with legislation on product claims. Measurlabs offers cosmetic testing from chemical and microbiological analyses to patch tests.
Cosmetics testing services
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Microbiological tests

The microbiological quality of cosmetics needs to be assessed to ensure that products retain their quality for the declared shelf life period without succumbing to microbial growth. Our testing options include stability & compatibility testing, microbiological analyses by European Pharmacopoeia standards, and challenge tests to evaluate the preservation efficacy of cosmetic preservatives.

Chemicals in cosmetics

Chemical testing

Chemical tests are needed to ensure that the composition of a cosmetic product complies with relevant regulations, such as the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Cosmetics must not contain prohibited substances, including certain PFAS and PAH compounds, heavy metals, nitrosamines, and phthalates. To market products as “allergen-free”, it must also be demonstrated that they do not contain known allergenic fragrance components.

In addition to ensuring the absence of prohibited ingredients, cosmetics manufacturers need to make sure that the used colorants, preservatives, and UV filters are authorized and are not present in unacceptably high quantities. Our chemical analysis options for cosmetics include allergenic fragrance screening, contaminant analysis, and biocide testing for determining the concentrations of different preservatives, such as isothiazolinones.

Phthalates analysis package (REACH)

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. They have also been used as additives in products such as cosmetics and personal care items. Several phthalates have been identified as endocrine-disrupting agents or as chemicals toxic to reproduction. Exposure to phthalates can occur through: Oral exposure Food: Exposure occurs via migration from food packaging., Children's toys: Children often put toys in their mouths.., Inhalation: Breathing in dust from vinyl flooring or fragrances (like perfumes) can cause exposure to phthalates via inhalation., Skin contact: Phthalates present in cosmetics, lotions, and soaps can be absorbed through the skin.. For other listed matrices apart from cosmetics, the analysis package covers the following substances included in the REACH Authorization List: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP 84-69-5 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 Products that contain restricted phthalates in concentrations higher than 0.1% may be removed from the market. The analysis package for cosmetic products contains the following phthalates: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 All the above-mentioned substances are prohibited in cosmetic products (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009).
241 €
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Metal screening by ICP-SFMS (semi-quantitative)

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements and the rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.
753 €
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Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Regulation (EC) 1223/2009)

Analysis of fragrance allergens as specified in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. This wide GC-MS/MS screening covers substances added to Annex III of the cosmetic products regulation by Regulation (EC) No 2023/1545, which added dozens of new entries to the allergen list. Some prohibited substances, such as Lilial and Lyral, are also tested for. The following substances are included in the analysis: Substance Reference number in Regulation 1223/2009 Status Benzyl alcohol 45 Restricted (Annex III) 6-Methyl Coumarin 46 Restricted (Annex III) Amyl cinnamal 67 Restricted (Annex III) Cinnamyl alcohol 69 Restricted (Annex III) Citral, Geranial, Neral 70 Restricted (Annex III) Eugenol 71 Restricted (Annex III) Hydroxycitronellal 72 Restricted (Annex III) Isoeugenol 73 Restricted (Annex III) Amylcinnamyl alcohol 74 Restricted (Annex III) Benzyl salicylate 75 Restricted (Annex III) Cinnamal 76 Restricted (Annex III) Coumarin 77 Restricted (Annex III) Geraniol 78 Restricted (Annex III) Anise alcohol 80 Restricted (Annex III) Benzyl cinnamate 81 Restricted (Annex III) Farnesol 82 Restricted (Annex III) Linalool 84 Restricted (Annex III) Benzyl benzoate 85 Restricted (Annex III) Citronellol 86 Restricted (Annex III) Hexyl cinnamal 87 Restricted (Annex III) Limonene 88 Restricted (Annex III) Methyl 2-Octynoate 89 Restricted (Annex III) alpha-Isomethyl ionone 90 Restricted (Annex III) Evernia prunastri extract 91 Restricted (Annex III) Evernia furfuracea extract 92 Restricted (Annex III) Musk xylene 96 Restricted (Annex III) Musk ketone 97 Restricted (Annex III) Methyl eugenol 102 Restricted (Annex III) Alpha-Terpinene 131 Restricted (Annex III) Terpinolene 133 Restricted (Annex III) Acetyl Hexamethyl indan (Phantolide) 134 Restricted (Annex III) 4-tert.- Butyldihydrocinnamaldehyde (Bourgenoal) 155 Restricted (Annex III) Sum of rose ketones: Alpha-Damascone, cis-Rose ketone 1, trans-Rose ketone 1, Rose ketone 4 (Damascone), Rose ketone 3 (delta-Damascone), trans-Rose ketone 3, cis-Rose ketone 2 (cis-beta-Damascone), trans-Rose ketone 2 (trans-beta-Damascone) 157 Restricted (Annex III) 3-Propylidenephthalide 175 Restricted (Annex III) Acetyl hexamethyl tetralin (Tonalide) 182 Restricted (Annex III) Methyl-N-methylanthranilate 323 Restricted (Annex III) Methyl Salicylate 324 Restricted (Annex III) Acetyl Cedrene 327 Restricted (Annex III) Amyl Salicylate 328 Restricted (Annex III) Anethole (analyzed as trans-Anethole) 329 Restricted (Annex III) Benzaldehyde 330 Restricted (Annex III) Camphor 331 Restricted (Annex III) Beta-Caryo-phyllene 332 Restricted (Annex III) Carvone 333 Restricted (Annex III) Dimethyl Phenethyl Acetate (analyzed as Dimethylbenzyl Carbinyl Acetate) 334 Restricted (Annex III) Hexadecanolactone 335 Restricted (Annex III) Hexamethylindanopyran 336 Restricted (Annex III) Linalyl Acetate 337 Restricted (Annex III) Menthol 338 Restricted (Annex III) Trimethylcyclopentenyl Methylisopentenol 339 Restricted (Annex III) Salicylaldehyde 340 Restricted (Annex III) Santalol (analyzed as alpha-Santalol, beta-Santalol, Santalol (sum of isomers)) 341 Restricted (Annex III) Sclareol 342 Restricted (Annex III) Terpineol (analyzed as alpha-Terpineol, beta-Terpineol, gamma-Terpineol, Terpineol (sum of isomers)) 343 Restricted (Annex III) Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes 344 Restricted (Annex III) Trimethylbenzenepropanol 345 Restricted (Annex III) Vanillin 346 Restricted (Annex III) Versalide 362 Restricted (Annex III) Eugenyl Acetate 368 Restricted (Annex III) Geranyl Acetate 369 Restricted (Annex III) Isoeugenyl Acetate 370 Restricted (Annex III) Pinene (analyzed as alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, Pinene (sum of isomers)) 371 Restricted (Annex III) Musk Ambrette 414 Prohibited (Annex II) Moskene 421 Prohibited (Annex II) Musk Tibetene 422 Prohibited (Annex II) 4-(4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentyl) cyclohex-3-ene1-carbaldehyde (Lyral) 1380 Prohibited (Annex II) 2,6-Dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzaldehyde (atranol) 1381 Prohibited (Annex II) 3-Chloro-2,6-Dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzaldehyde (chloroatranol) 1382 Prohibited (Annex II) 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde (Lilial) 1666 Prohibited (Annex II) Traseolide (musk fragrance) - Not listed Cashmeran (musk fragrance) - Not listed Celestolid (musk fragrance) - Not listed In most cases, the presence of individual fragrance allergens must be indicated on cosmetics packaging if their concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products. More detailed restrictions are outlined in annexes to the consolidated version of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
595 €
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Prices excluding VAT.

Dermatological testing

Dermatological tests, such as patch tests, are used to evaluate the reactions that a cosmetic product may induce when applied to the skin. Testing is performed on a group of human volunteers under the supervision of a dermatologist. In addition to evidencing the claim “dermatologically tested”, patch tests can be used to evaluate the product’s suitability for different skin types.

Pasi Tuomikoski

Questions?

Expert Pasi Tuomikoski is happy to answer queries related to cosmetics testing.

+358 50 368 3194

Testing to support additional product claims

Regulation (EU) 655/2013 sets the framework for product claims that can be used to market cosmetics within the Union. The key principle is that all claims must be demonstrably true and based on solid evidence. Often, the evidence consists of results from use tests, where a group of volunteers is exposed to the product and subsequently surveyed and observed by a specialist. 

Measurlabs offers cosmetics use tests for supporting a number of product claims, including the following: 

  • Moisturizes the skin

  • Restores the function of the skin barrier

  • Does not sting the eyes

The number of volunteers and their skin types can be chosen to evaluate the product's suitability for different target groups. You can see more information about typical testing specifications for barrier cream efficacy testing here, or get in touch with our experts to discuss the options for testing other cosmetic products.

Request a quote

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Answering the following questions helps us prepare an offer for you faster:

  • How many samples do you have, and what is the sample material?

  • Which cosmetics tests do you need?

  • Do you have a recurring need for these tests? If yes, how often and for how many samples at a time?

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.