Stability testing for cosmetic products assesses their capacity to maintain their original characteristics over time when subjected to expected or foreseeable conditions during storage and usage.​

The shelf life of a cosmetic product represents the suggested duration following its production within which the product’s specified quality remains satisfactory under typical circumstances of distribution, storage, presentation, and utilization.​

Types of tests​

Testing Methods:​

  • Accelerated Stability Test (3 months)​
  • Exposure to high temperatures (40-45°C)​
  • Accelerated aging processes​
  • Real-time Stability Test (Product’s claimed shelf life)​
  • Evaluation at expected storage temperatures (e.g., room temperature)​

Monitoring Parameters:

  • Continuous tracking of physical, chemical, and microbiological specifications at various checkpoints.​
  • Compatibility Testing:​
  • Assessing product-packaging compatibility using inert and final packaging materials.​
  • Recommended for different packaging types to ensure comprehensive evaluation.​
  • Key Takeaway: Effective stability testing is crucial for maintaining product quality and safety throughout its lifecycle.​

What do we provide?​​

Accelerated Stability study: Exposure to higher temperatures to accelerate the product’s aging process and reduce the time required to receive results to go to market faster. ​

Stability Analysis: The investigation is conducted utilizing the most inert packaging available, irrespective of the final packaging, yielding insights into the product’s stability under diverse environmental conditions.​

Compatibility study: Compatibility Assessment: The research is carried out with the product already enclosed in its final packaging, offering insights into the interplay between the packaging and the product under variable conditions.​

PAO (Period after opening) study: Refers to the duration during which a product will maintain its stability and safety for human consumption once it has been initially opened.​

How can we customize it?​

Various types of accelerated and real-time stability tests are available, featuring standard protocols that can be customized to align with the specific demands of diverse product categories, storage conditions, or client-specific preferences.

Timelines​

  • Accelerated stability tests normally take 3 months​
  • Real-time stability tests can take 2, 3 or even more years

Which conditions do we test?​​

  • Low temperatures (5°C, no light)​
  • Medium temperatures (25°C+60% RH, no light)​
  • High temperatures (40°C+75% RH, no light)​
  • Photostability​
  • Freeze/Thaw cycles

What parameters we look for?​

  • Colour, Appearance, Odour​
  • Density​
  • Viscosity​
  • pH measurement​
  • Weight loss​
  • Packing integrity​
  • Microbiological analysis​
  • Challenge test​