A makeup safety assessment is a detailed safety assessment of a makeup product. This assessment is conducted to ensure the safety of a makeup product before it is marketed. A qualified safety assessor performs this assessment based on the product dossier containing all required information and documentation about the makeup product provided by the manufacturer. This file is called a Cosmetic Product Information File (PIF).
What is a cosmetic product information file (PIF) for makeup?
The Cosmetic Product Information File (PIF) is a comprehensive collection of documentation required for any cosmetic product. The PIF can be divided into three parts:
Part I: Identification of manufacturer, responsible person, production site
Contains information about the manufacturer and production site, including GMP certification.
Part II: Information about the makeup product
Contains information about the makeup product, including composition, raw material documentation, finished product specifications, test results, labeling and packaging.
- Makeup product composition
- Production method
- Product identification (lot or batch no./barcode no./production code etc.).
- Documentation of the raw materials used in the makeup product (TDS, MSDS, CoA, etc.)
- Specifications of the finished product (TDS, CoA, MSDS)
- Laboratory test results (shelf life and compatibility test)
- Packaging Specifications
- Labeling
- Claims
- If there is an undesirable effect / serious undesirable effect, the relevant documents
Part III: Cosmetic product safety report (CPSR) for the makeup product
The CPSR consists of two main parts: Part A and Part B.
Part A – Cosmetic Product Safety Information: Summarizes all PIF elements listed above and provides product information.
Part B – Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment: Contains the safety assessor’s conclusions, warnings and justifications that ensure the product is safe under normal use.
- In-depth formula analysis
- Analysis of the composition of your makeup product, including active ingredients, fragrances and preservatives.
- Assessment of the concentration of each ingredient to ensure it is within safe limits.
- Checking ingredients
- Check that all ingredients are permitted according to the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.
- Control of source and purity of raw materials.
- Odor Analysis (IFRA) Evaluation of odors according to IFRA standards and the latest allergen regulations.
- Analysis of laboratory test results
- All necessary analysis and documentation to demonstrate the safety of the product.
- Toxicological evaluation
- Assessment of toxicological profiles of the substances used in the makeup product.
- Risk assessment and hazard identification
- Assessment of potential risks based on the proposed application and target population (e.g., baby shampoo or shampoo for sensitive skin).
What products can be assessed with this safety assessment for a makeup product?
This review is for a makeup product. Here you see a review requiring 1 to 4 laboratory tests. You can choose which laboratory tests to order.
Product group | PIF | CPSR | Microbiological Test | Challenge Test | Stability test | Heavy metal test |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation (water-based) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Foundation (anhydrous) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Powder foundation | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Concealer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blush (powder) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blush (cream) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyeshadow (powder) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyeshadow (cream) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Mascara | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyeliner (liquid) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyeliner (pencil) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyebrow Gel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eyebrow powder | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighter (powder) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighter (cream) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Bronzer (powder) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Bronzer (cream) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Setting Spray | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Makeup Primer (water-based) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Makeup Primer (anhydrous) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Lipstick | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Lip gloss | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Eye pencil | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Nail polish | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Liquid makeup products (with a water phase) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Solid/powder makeup products (no water phase) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Liquid makeup products without dyes (clear fixer spray, makeup base etc.) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Solid/powder Makeup products without dyes (clear fixer spray, makeup base, etc.) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
This table is for reference only. If your product is not listed or if you are not sure, you can always ask us. Additional laboratory testing may also be requested during the safety assessment. Additional testing or documentation may be required at the request of the safety assessor.
Makeup products with a water phase have a higher risk of microbial contamination and should therefore be tested more extensively.
Powder products such as blush, eyeshadow and powder foundation generally do not require microbiological or challenge testing because they do not contain water.
Most makeup products are cosmetics that you don’t have to rinse off and contain dyes. Therefore, they must be tested for heavy metals.
Some makeup products contain water and are prone to microbial growth, requiring both a microbiological test and a challenge test. Low pH levels mean there is a microbial risk. You can measure this with a digital pH meter or pH test strips.
The stability test is essential to verify that the makeup retains its properties throughout the shelf life.
What laboratory tests are required?
For a cosmetic safety assessment for a makeup product, the following laboratory tests are essential to comply with European regulations and ensure the safety of the product:
1. Stability test
- Purpose: Determines whether the makeup product remains stable under normal and extreme conditions, such as heat, cold and exposure to light. This involves checking changes in texture, color, fragrance and action.
- Important for: Ensuring the shelf life and safety of the makeup product over its lifetime.
- How is this tested: Storage of the makeup product at different temperatures for a specified time.
2. Microbiological Test
- Purpose: Checks the microbiological quality of the product. It identifies possible contamination by bacteria, yeasts or fungi that may be harmful to the user.
- Important for: Water-based products or products prone to bacterial growth.
- How is this tested : Aerobic bacteria counts, mold and yeast analyses.
3. Challenge Test (Preservative Efficacy Test).
- Purpose: Test the effectiveness of preservatives in the product. This is to prevent microorganisms from multiplying during the period of use.
- Important for: Products that have an extended shelf life or are in repeatedly opened containers.
- How is this tested: Simulation of different use scenarios to evaluate the effect of preservatives.
4. Testing for heavy metals
- Purpose: To identify harmful metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in makeup products that may pose a risk to consumer health.
- Important for: Ensuring that products are safe for use, meet legal requirements and maintain consumer confidence. It is particularly important for products used on sensitive areas such as the face and eyes.
- How is it tested: Heavy metals are typically tested using methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or other analytical techniques. Samples of cosmetic products are prepared and analyzed to detect and measure the concentration of heavy metals present.
Product review for makeup products with multiple shades (e.g. eyeshadow palette)
When reviewing cosmetic products, such as a multi-tone eyeshadow palette, it is important to clarify how we deal with ingredient lists and formulations.
Formulation: for a palette of 12 different colors, our safety assessor evaluates each individual color formulation and then combines all formulations into one comprehensive assessment.
General ingredient list: the final ingredient list for the palette shows what dyes and other ingredients are in it. This is shown as a “may contain” statement, which allows for variation in the list of ingredients.
Example product eyeshadow palette
Hue 1: Red
Ingredients:
- Mica (%7-50)
- CI 77491 (Iron Oxide Red) (%1-15)
- CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide) (%1-5)
- Synthetic Fluorophlogopite (%15-19)
- Dimethicone (%7-10)
- Phenoxyethanol (%0.5-1)
Hue 2: Green
Ingredients:
- Mica (%7-50)
- CI 77492 (Iron Oxide Yellow) (%1-5)
- CI 77019 (Chromium Oxide Green) (%1-5)
- Synthetic Fluorophlogopite (%15-19)
- Dimethicone (%7-10)
- Phenoxyethanol (%0.5-1)
Hue 3: Black
Ingredients:
- Mica (%7-50)
- CI 77499 (iron oxide black) (%1-5)
- CI 77000 (alumina) (%1-5)
- Synthetic fluorophlogopite (%15-19)
- Dimethicone (%7-10)
- Phenoxyethanol (%0.5-1)
You will receive from us all the information you need to put on the packaging. The general list of ingredients that will appear on the packaging is then as follows:
Ingredients: Mica, synthetic fluorophlogopite, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, may contain (+/-) CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, CI 77019, CI 77000.
CPSR Report: After we have combined the formulations and ingredient list, we create a single Common Product Safety Report (CPSR) for the entire palette. This report ensures safety compliance and provides a comprehensive overview of the safety assessment of the entire palette.
How does the process work?
- Choosing Assessment
- You purchase the assessment through our website.
- Access to secure Portal
- After purchase, you will gain access to our secure portal where you can complete the intake.
- Complete Intake
- Complete all requested information about your product and upload relevant documentation.
- Send Samples
- Send physical samples of your product to our laboratory. We will tell you exactly what we need for this. The samples can be sent to us free of charge.
- Laboratory tests
- We perform stability test and compatibility test.
- Safety Assessment
- Our safety reviewer prepares the PIF, Part I, II and III.
- EU CPNP notification and documentation delivery
- We will take care of the registration of your product in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) and you will receive full PIF documentation from us.
What do you need to apply for a CPSR?
To make the process go smoothly, we need the following information from you:
- Product Formulation: A complete list of ingredients, including concentrations and INCI names.
- Product packaging: Information on packaging and labels.
- Instructions for use: How the product is used by consumers.
- Sample: A physical sample of your product for laboratory analysis.
- Documentation: Certificates of raw materials (e.g., MSDS and COA).
For whom is this service intended?
Our makeup product safety review is specially designed for:
- Manufacturers of makeup products or products that want to sell their products in the EU.
- Small business owners offering handmade makeup products.
- Large companies looking to launch a wide range of makeup products.
- DIY makers who want to professionalize their creations.
Why choose our safety assessment for a makeup product choose?
- Experienced Safety Assessors: Our safety assessments are conducted by certified professionals with years of experience in the cosmetics industry.
- Quick Turnaround Time: We deliver the CPSR within 10 to 15 business days of receiving all required data.
- Clear Communication: No jargon, but clear explanations throughout the process.
- Customized Recommendations: We provide practical recommendations if your product needs customization.
- Fully Compliance-Focused: Our reports are 100% compliant with European regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is a CPSR valid? A CPSR remains valid as long as the product formulation and other relevant aspects remain unchanged.
- Can I make changes to my product after the CPSR? Yes, but then the CPSR must be revised to ensure that the changes do not affect safety.
- Are there any products that do not require CPSR? No, all makeup products sold within the EU must have a CPSR.
- How do I know if my ingredients are allowed? We help you do this by checking all ingredients based on the latest regulations.
- Can I use ingredients from suppliers other than YouWish? Yes, that’s no problem at all. As long as you have documentation, we can make a safety assessment for you,
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