Cosmetics & Personal Care Testing Services

Reliable, Compliant Testing for Topical Products.

Trusted Laboratory Testing for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Cosmetic products go directly onto the skin, meaning purity, microbial safety, and stability aren’t optional. We help brands and manufacturers meet strict quality benchmarks while supporting FDA and Health Canada expectations for safety, documentation, and labeling.

Common product types we test include:

  • Skincare: creams, serums, masks, toners
  • Haircare: shampoos, conditioners, scalp oils
  • Hygiene: hand sanitizers, body washes, deodorants
  • Suncare: after-sun lotions, SPF-containing products (non-SPF claim testing only)
  • Cosmetics: lipsticks, foundations, eyeliners, mascaras

What We Test

We support the full spectrum of personal care formulations, from water-based creams to oil-heavy emulsions and pigment-rich makeup. Each product class requires tailored testing approaches to verify safety, shelf stability, and label claims.

Skincare Products

From facial serums to body butters, skincare products require a balance of functionality and safety.

  • pH, viscosity, and texture profiling
  • Microbial load testing (TAMC, TYMC, pathogens)
  • Preservative efficacy testing (Challenge Test, USP <51>)
  • Accelerated and real-time stability studies

Haircare and Scalp Products

Hair and scalp products interact with sensitive skin areas and need testing for consistency, safety, and contamination control.

  • Microbial screening for common pathogens
  • Allergen and fragrance content testing
  • Viscosity and spreadability analysis
  • Heavy metal screening in colored or mineral-rich formulations

Suncare Products

Even without SPF-specific claims, suncare products must remain stable, safe, and effective under sun exposure.

  • Real-time and accelerated stability studies under light and heat
  • pH and formulation consistency over time
  • Verification of inactive ingredients and preservatives
  • Label compliance (for non-SPF claims like “hydrating,” “soothing,” etc.)

Hand Sanitizers and Hygiene Products

Products like gels, sprays, and wipes require strict ethanol content verification and microbial efficacy.

  • Alcohol content analysis (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) per USP
  • Microbial contamination screening
  • Viscosity and evaporation rate testing
  • Compliance with FDA temporary guidance (where applicable)

Cosmetics and Color Products

Makeup formulations, especially those applied near eyes or lips, must be free of contaminants and stable under various conditions.

  • Heavy metal testing (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium)
  • Pigment and colorant stability
  • Microbial limits testing
  • Allergen detection (e.g., fragrance compounds, preservatives)

Our Cosmetics Testing Capabilities

We provide end-to-end lab support for cosmetic product testing, helping brands verify performance, label integrity, and consumer safety.

Microbiological Testing

  • Total aerobic microbial count (TAMC)
  • Total yeast and mold count (TYMC)
  • Pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans
  • Preservative efficacy (Challenge Testing per USP <51>)

Stability and Compatibility Studies

  • Real-time and accelerated aging protocols
  • Temperature, light, and humidity cycling
  • Container–product interaction analysis (leaching, oxidation, separation)

Physicochemical Analysis

  • pH, viscosity, specific gravity, appearance over time
  • Texture and spreadability changes under stress conditions

Contaminant Screening

  • Heavy metals (ICP-MS)
  • Residual solvents and volatile compounds
  • Fragrance allergens, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde donors

Label & Regulatory Support

  • Ingredient verification (INCI compliance)
  • Claims support for “hypoallergenic,” “fragrance-free,” or “preservative-free”
  • Documentation aligned with FDA and Health Canada cosmetic rules

Regulatory Compliance Support

Cosmetic regulations vary by region so we help ensure your documentation, testing data, and product safety meet expectations across borders.

Our lab supports:

  • Cosmetic GMP testing (ISO 22716)
  • Health Canada Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) preparation
  • FDA Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP) documentation
  • EU Annex II ingredient restrictions and labeling compliance
  • California Prop 65 testing for listed toxicants (lead, formaldehyde, etc.)

We also support QA documentation for third-party manufacturing audits, private label partnerships, and retailer onboarding.

Why Partner with Ayah Labs for Cosmetic Testing?

ISO/IEC 17025–aligned testing systems

Every test is backed by rigorous quality control, method validation, and traceable lab practices that meet global standards.

Support for sensitive and complex formulations

From waterless balms to fragrance-free emulsions, we help you test challenging matrices with precision and flexibility.

Dedicated project coordination

Our clients work directly with formulation-savvy scientists who understand product texture, shelf life, and compliance needs, especially in cosmetic R&D cycles.

Fast turnaround with scalable testing plans

We offer 5–10 day standard turnaround, plus expedited options for reformulations, pre-launch validation, and retailer onboarding.

Documentation ready for audits and claims

We deliver lab reports and COAs formatted to support regulatory filing, marketing claims, and third-party audits.

Experience with global brands and private labels

We support independent startups and high-volume manufacturers alike, with testing tailored for Amazon, Sephora, retail chains, and international distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)