Cosmetic and skincare active potency, preservative efficacy and microbial testing
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act requires brands to substantiate safety and keep records. We quantify the actives you claim, run the 28-day USP <51> antimicrobial effectiveness challenge on your finished formula, count microbial limits, and report heavy metals by ICP-MS, so the safety file holds real numbers.
- From
- $139
- Turnaround
- 5–7 business days; USP <51> 28 days
- Certificate
- Public, hashed, video-linked
What the panel measures
| Test | Method | Instrument | Reports as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active potency | MethodHPLC-UV vs certified reference | InstrumentAgilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC | Reports as% w/w and % of label |
| Preservative efficacy | MethodUSP <51>, five-organism challenge, 28 days | InstrumentMicrobiology suite | Reports asLog reduction at 7, 14, 28 days; pass/fail |
| Microbial limits | MethodUSP <61>/<62> | InstrumentMicrobiology suite | Reports asCFU/g; S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, C. albicans absent |
| Heavy metals | MethodICP-MS: Pb, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Cr, Sb | InstrumentAgilent 7850 ICP-MS | Reports asµg/g vs FDA and Health Canada guidance |
| Preservative assay | MethodHPLC-UV parabens, phenoxyethanol | InstrumentAgilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC | Reports as% w/w |
| Restricted substances | MethodGC-MS: 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde donors | InstrumentAgilent GC-MS with headspace | Reports asµg/g; add-on |
Accepted: Serums Creams and lotions Cleansers Sunscreens Peptide cosmetics Oils
Compounds: Retinol and retinoids Niacinamide Ascorbic acid and derivatives Hyaluronic acid Copper peptides Argireline Salicylic and glycolic acid Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide Parabens, phenoxyethanol
Why the method matters
Full 28-day <51> challenge
Preservative efficacy cannot be shortened. We inoculate five compendial organisms into your actual formula and read at 7, 14 and 28 days. A rapid screen is not a challenge test.
Actives quantified, not assumed
A formula sheet is not a result. We measure retinol, niacinamide, vitamin C and peptide actives against certified standards so a label claim is defensible.
Authentic Agilent bench, OEM consumables
Every instrument was bought new through Agilent, Charles River and MilliporeSigma authorized channels, installed and performance-qualified by certified engineers, and serviced by Quantum Analytics. Columns, lamps, seals, cartridges, canisters and reference standards are OEM or Thermo Fisher lot-traced; no third-party refills, no re-used cartridges, no expired lysate. The instrument ID, column lot and standard lot are printed on every certificate.
The bench this runs on
Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC
Purity and potency by UV; 1300 bar, sub-2 µm columns, chromatogram printed on the certificate.
Microbiology suite
USP <61>/<62> counts and specified organisms; USP <51> challenge.
Agilent 7850 ICP-MS
Elemental impurities and toxic metals to sub-ppb, internal-standardized.
Agilent GC-MS with headspace
Volatiles, residual solvents, BTEX and semivolatiles by EI mass spectrometry.
Purchased new through authorized channels, installed and performance-qualified by certified engineers, run on OEM consumables. Instrument IDs are printed on every certificate. See the full bench.
Cosmetic testing compared
| Gold Standard Analytics | Typical | |
|---|---|---|
| USP <51> duration | Gold Standard AnalyticsFull 28 days | TypicalSome offer 14-day screens |
| Actives by HPLC | Gold Standard AnalyticsYes | TypicalOften not offered |
| Metals technique | Gold Standard AnalyticsICP-MS | TypicalICP-OES or XRF |
| Public certificate | Gold Standard AnalyticsYes | TypicalNo |
Named, sourced comparisons with individual laboratories are on the compare page.
Questions about cosmetics testing
Can I see the video of my sample being opened?
Yes. Every package is opened on camera, each container is photographed, and the footage is linked to your accession. Custody video and photos are kept for three years; the retained sample itself is kept 90 days for guarantee retests.
What happens if my result fails?
It is published like any other result, with the method, instrument and specification shown. You may order a retest of the retained sample; we never re-run to obtain a better number.
What does MoCRA require me to test?
MoCRA requires adequate safety substantiation and records; it does not name specific tests. Preservative efficacy, microbial limits and heavy metals are the tests FDA and retailers most often expect in the file.
How long does USP <51> take?
28 days of incubation plus setup and reporting, about 30 days total. It cannot be rushed.
How much product?
100 g for preservative efficacy on its own; 50 g covers actives and microbial; a sealed retail unit for metals.
Do you test sunscreens?
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide content by ICP-MS and organic filters by HPLC-UV. We do not run SPF (in vivo) testing.
Method references: USP <51> Antimicrobial Effectiveness Testing · USP <61>/<62> microbial limits
Other services
Peptides testing · SARMs testing · Kratom testing · Hemp testing · Supplements testing · Raw materials testing · Hydrocarbons testing · Pesticides testing · Water and food testing · Compare labs · Laboratory notes
Submit a sample
An invoice is issued at submission and the prepaid label is emailed when payment lands. Certificates publish in 5–7 business days.