Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Testing

Certified Laboratories offers fast, flexible microbiology and chemistry cosmetics lab testing and personal care products testing. In addition, we are a leader when it comes to in-package stability testing, challenge studies, and other specialized laboratory testing for the cosmetic and personal care product industry. Get the accurate, timely data you need to support your safety and quality programs.

Cosmetic and Personal Care Product Testing Services

Our cosmetics testing labs offer a broad range of microbiology and chemistry testing services for the industry. Certified Laboratories is cGMP/GLP-compliant and adheres to 21 CFR 111 subpart J and ISO 17025 standards. Our cosmetics lab testing and personal care product testing services are listed below. Contact us if you need a custom solution.

Microbiology Lab Testing for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Our comprehensive microbiology lab testing for cosmetic products and personal care products addresses the common issue of bacterial and fungal contamination, verifying product safety and integrity.

We offer an extensive range of tests, including microbial-limits testing of common pathogens and presence/absence testing of specific microbes. Our cosmetic product testing laboratories test for total aerobic plate count, yeast and mold count, and specialized tests like microbial identification.

  • USP <60>
    • Burkholderia cepacian complex (BCC)
    • Water-born opportunistic pathogens
    • Presence/Absence
  • USP <61>
    • “Bioburden” or “Microbial Limits Testing”
    • Staph aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis
    • Determines Enumeration
    • Acceptance Criteria on USP 1111
  • USP <62>
    • Staph aureus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Bile tolerant Gram-Negative, Clostridia, Candida Albicans
    • Presence/Absence
    • Aloe Vera Testing
    • Antifungal
    • Antimicrobial
    • Antibacterial
    • Enrichment
    • Kill Rate
    • Microbial ID
    • Mold Testing
    • Preservative Challenge
    • Preservative Design
    • Preservative Efficacy (PET)
    • Product Safety
    • Sterility
    • Total Aerobic Plate Count
    • Total Yeast and Mold Count
    • Water Testing

    Chemistry Testing for Cosmetics and Personal Care Product

    Certified Laboratories excels in chemistry testing for cosmetics and personal care products, leveraging advanced instruments and USP compendial methods.

    Our cosmetic testing labs offer heavy metals testing, specialized assays for precise ingredient analysis, residual solvents and VOC testing, SPF determination to validate sun protection claims, and more.

    • 1,4 Dioxane
    • Acid Value
    • Acidity or Alkalinity
    • Aluminum
    • Bacterial Endotoxins
    • Benedict’s Test
    • Benzene
    • Brix
    • Calcium
    • Chloride
    • Chlorinated Compounds
    • Clarity of Solution
    • Colloidal Oat
    • Color
    • Color of Solution
    • Conductivity
    • Congealing Range Biochemical Oxygen Dependence
    • Content of Carboxylic Acid
    • Diethylene Glycol
    • Dimethicone
    • Ester Value
    • Ethyl Acetate and Cyclohexane
    • Ethylene Glycol
    • FTIR Identification
    • Fatty Acids
    • Food Allergens
      • Dairy
      • Egg
      • Peanut
      • Fish
      • Crustacean Shellfish
      • Gluten
      • Soy
      • Tree Nuts (Cashew, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Almond, Walnut, Pecan, Brazil, Pistachio, Macadamia)
    • Formaldehyde
    • Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, Antimony; USP <232> and USP <233>)
    • Hydroxyl Value
    • Iodine Value
    • Ion Chromatography
      • Anion
      • Cation
    • Loss on Drying
    • Loss on Heating
    • Melting Range
    • Methanol Precipitable Solids
    • NaCl%
    • Nitrilotriacetic Acid
    • Nitrosamines
    • Organic Volatile Impurities
    • Oxalic Acid
    • Parabens
    • pH
    • Phthalates
    • Platinum Cobalt Color Value
    • Readily Carbonizable Substances
    • Refractive Index
    • Residual Solvents Class I/II/III
    • Residual Solvents/VOC Testing (Class 1, 2, 3; 1,4 dioxane, Benzene; USP <467>)
    • Residue on Ignition
    • Retinyl
    • SPF Determination (Broad Spectrum)
      • Assay confirmation of active levels
    • Saponification Cloud Test
    • Saponification Value
    • Specialized Assay Testing (SPF active assay testing, Preservative assay testing, An array of cosmetic/OTC assay testing)
    • Specific Gravity
    • Sulfate
    • Total Dissolved Solids
    • Total Organic Carbons
    • Total Solids
    • USP Identification Tests
    • Viscosity
    • Water Activity
    • Water Conten

    Simple 4-Step Process to Start Your Lab Testing Program

    Customize Your Plan

    We identify what testing services you need.

    Submit Samples

    Ship yourself or use our courier service (subject to geographic requirements).

    Laboratory Testing

    Our labs perform your cosmetics or personal care product testing.

    Receive Results

    Use our online portal to access your COA.

    In-Package Stability Testing

    With more than 90 stability chambers, we offer an extensive range of stability testing capabilities to support your shelf-life, expiration, and period-after-opening (PAO) claims.

    Our cosmetic product testing services provide data about your product’s microbial activity and chemical degradation over time in a variety of ICH storage conditions. This data helps you verify product safety and achieve your quality standards, protecting your brand. Service highlights include:

    • Long-Term, Intermediate, and Accelerated
    • Photostability
    • Antimicrobial Effectiveness/PET
    • Package Compatibility
    • Freeze/Thaw Analysis

    View our full stability testing services for cosmetics and personal care products.

    Preservative Efficacy Testing & Challenge Studies

    Certified Laboratories excels in preservative efficacy testing for cosmetics and personal care products, verifying their safety for consumer use.

    Aligning with FDA guidelines, we conduct comprehensive microbial challenge testing to evaluate the effectiveness of preservatives in protecting against microbial growth and degradation.

    USP <51> for Sterile and Non-Sterile Products

    • Demonstrates the efficacy of antimicrobial preservatives in multi-dose products, including injections, topicals, oral products, and antacids.
    • Over a 28-day incubation period, we meticulously observe changes in microbial growth, providing manufacturers and formulators a reliable assessment of product stability and safety.
    N

    Accurate Results

    Reliable safety and quality verification using advanced instruments and validated methods.

    N

    Competitive Turnaround & Pricing

    Efficient sample processing with timely COAs and budget-friendly pricing.

    N

    Responsive Service

    Reliable communication, including access to the Lab Manager.

    N

    Industry Experience

    25+ years in cosmetic and personal care testing, offering expertise in microbiology, chemistry, and more.

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    Industry Trust

    Serving 1,200+ clients; actively engaged in trade organizations & conferences.

    Accurate Testing for Innovative Formulations

    Formulators are always modifying formulations or introducing new products to meet customer expectations.

    Our cosmetic and personal care product laboratory testing services cater to formulators throughout the product lifecycle, from prototype to product stewardship. We support your need for data to meet your safety and quality goals, helping you strengthen your product portfolio.

    In Vitro SPF Determination

    The use of our technology enables the determination of broad-spectrum SPF levels during the development process. This will help ensure your formula will perform for the final in vivo testing.

    Certifications & Accreditations

    Certified Laboratories is a fully compliant cGMP/GLP testing facility following the 21 CFR 111 sub J and ISO 17025 standards.

    Burbank, CA

    Formerly Micro Quality Labs

      Carrollton, TX

      Formerly Microconsult 

      Certifications & Accreditations

      Certified Laboratories is a fully compliant cGMP/GLP testing facility following the 21 CFR 111 sub J and ISO 17025 standards.

      Burbank, CA

      Formerly Micro Quality Labs

        Carrollton, TX

        Formerly Microconsult 

        Safety Testing & Regulatory Compliance

        Certified Laboratories provides a robust suite of regulated testing services tailored to the cosmetics and personal care sector ensuring consumer safety and quality. From product development to market launches, we are your trusted partner.

        Using advanced microbiology and chemistry assays, our scientific assessments extend from raw materials to finished goods. Our thorough protocols encompass the entire supply chain, identifying allergens, and other contaminants to verify safety.

        We offer expertise across a diverse range of products, from cosmetics and hair care to skincare and sunscreen, delivering critical data for maintaining safety and quality standards.

        Support for Industry Consultants

        For consultants who help manufacturers choose a high-quality laboratory, we offer a broad range of services to help your clients obtain the data they need to meet regulatory requirements and produce products safely. Our services help your clients…

        • Detect potential contaminants
        • Ensure label accuracy
        • Verify product claims
        • Establish optimal expiration dates and use-by dates
        • Verify preservative efficacy

        Cosmetic Lab Testing & Personal Care Product Testing Methods & Equipment

        Certified Laboratories uses the latest compendial USP and non-USP methods and leading-edge equipment to provide the highest technical precision.

        When compendial methods are not available our scientific experts design methods unique to your matrices. Certified Laboratories is committed to ensuring integrity of our testing competencies.

         

        • USP <60>, <61>, <62>
        • UHPLC: Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
        • HPLC: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
        • GC: Gas Chromatography
        • GC-MS/MS: GC-Tandem Mass Spectrometer
        • ICP-OES: Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometers
        • ICP-MS: Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometers
        • LC-MS/MS: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrophotometers
        • FTIR, NIR: Fourier Transform Infrared with Near IR capabilities
        • UV/VIS Spectrophotometry
        • Fluorometry

        Why Test Your Products with Certified Laboratories?

        Industry Association Memberships
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        Competitive TAT

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        North American network of 30+ ISO 17025-accredited labs

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        24/7/365 dedicated, reliable service

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        Direct access to your experienced lab manager and technical team

        N

        Turn-key pricing & flexible courier service

        N

        Real-time data access – anytime, anywhere

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