Cosmetic products must have adequate microbiological quality to ensure their safety during their intended use. The need for microbiological testing will depend on the characteristics of the product and its microbiological risk.
At Alpiguisa Innovación, we carry out microbiological analyses of cosmetic products in accordance with the applicable UNE-EN-ISO standards. These analyses allow us to assess the microbiological quality of the finished product, verify compliance with established microbiological limits, and detect the possible presence of specified microorganisms.
For the microbiological evaluation of cosmetic products, we use UNE-EN-ISO 17516 as a reference. This standard establishes criteria relating to the microbiological quality of cosmetic products.
When is microbiological testing necessary?
Cosmetic products must comply with the microbiological specifications applicable to them. Microbiological testing of production batches makes it possible to verify that the finished product meets these criteria before being placed on the market.
The need for microbiological testing will depend on the characteristics of each product and its microbiological risk. Some products may be considered to have a low microbiological risk due to certain characteristics of their formulation or presentation.
What is a cosmetic product with a low microbiological risk?
Whether a product can be considered to have a low microbiological risk must be determined through a specific assessment of its characteristics. Factors that may contribute to a lower microbiological risk include certain alcohol concentrations, extreme pH values, very low water activity, or certain packaging systems, such as single-dose formats.
At Alpiguisa Innovación, we assess the characteristics of each product and advise you on the microbiological evaluation and testing required for your formulations, with the aim of contributing to their safety and compliance with applicable requirements.
What microbiological analyses are carried out on cosmetics?
At Alpiguisa Innovación, we perform different analyses to assess the microbiological quality of cosmetic products. The main controls include the enumeration of microorganisms and the detection of specified microorganisms.
Enumeration of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms
This analysis determines the quantity of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms present in the product, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The result is compared with the applicable microbiological limits established in UNE-EN-ISO 17516.
The enumeration is carried out in accordance with UNE-EN-ISO 16212.
Detection of specified microorganisms
We can also test for the absence of specified microorganisms in cosmetic products, in accordance with the corresponding UNE-EN-ISO standards.
The microorganisms tested include:
Escherichia coli — UNE-EN-ISO 21150
Staphylococcus aureus — UNE-EN-ISO 22718
Pseudomonas aeruginosa — UNE-EN-ISO 22717
Candida albicans — UNE-EN-ISO 18416
These controls make it possible to assess the microbiological quality of the finished product and verify its conformity with the applicable microbiological criteria.
Which cosmetic products may require microbiological testing?
Microbiological analyses may be applicable to all types of cosmetic products, including solid products, aqueous liquids, non-aqueous liquids and powders. The need for and type of testing will depend on the characteristics of each formulation and its microbiological risk.
Some products may be considered to have a low microbiological risk and, following a specific assessment, may not require certain microbiological tests. This consideration must be supported by an appropriate assessment of the product's characteristics and, where applicable, by the available information and analytical results.
At Alpiguisa Innovación, we assess each formulation to determine which microbiological controls may be required and advise you on the appropriate analyses to evaluate the safety and microbiological quality of the product.
Do you need to test your cosmetic product?
Tell us about the characteristics of your product and our team will advise you on the microbiological analyses that may be required.
