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Heard of Lakme, Nykaa or L’Oréal? Yes, you are right! They are one of the world’s most popular cosmetic brands. In modern-day scenario, for the majority of population, physical appearance of an individual lies at the top of their priority list. With the advancing technology, science has been catering to these needs. Be it be creams, powder, lipsticks or serums, we have it all! But have you ever thought of the process that goes behind in the manufacturing of these products? Let’s dive deep into it.

Cosmetics product manufacturing needs to undergo several levels of assessment in order to confirm its potency and safety before they are introduced into the market. The tests must be performed in accordance with the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) and meet the criteria for imported cosmetic product registration.

Whom do we consider responsible for Cosmetics safety?

The cosmetics that have been introduced into the market for benefit of mankind have been legally tested for its safety by the manufacturers or the distributors itself. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) possess special rights for taking action against them if the legal requirements of the cosmetic products are not met. FDA also have the right to approve the use to additive colors before launching the product into the market.

Heard of the term In-vitro testing?

The term In-vitro basically means conducting tests outside the biological environment under artificial conditions that mimics the original conditions. It is used prominently in the world of research and finds its application in pharmaceutical, food, medical and cosmetic industries. The traditional methods of testing involves experimenting on animals and ascertain the parameters of the testing molecule. However, times have changed. The European Union (EU) has been a pioneer in bringing finished cosmetics product testing to a halt. From the initial stages in 1993 through the testing bans on finished cosmetic products (2004) and ingredients (2009) to the complete 2013 ban on the manufacturing and sale of cosmetics and ingredients tested on animals, the EU Cosmetic Regulations have spurred other countries such as India, Israel, USA, Canada, New Zealand to adopt these regulations. The in-vitro testing methods especially for cosmetic products involves utilizing dermal equivalent models, full-thickness skin models, human epidermal keratinocytes and skin explants models etc. It serves as a cost-effective and versatile alternative.