Selling a vegan mascara that wasn’t screened first for sensitivity. Launching a new facial sunscreen but skipped the full range of Fitzpatrick skin types. Forgoing microbial testing. These are missteps that can send a beauty brand on a path toward poor sales, not to mention issues with product safety from which recovery could be lengthy, if not impossible.

It is no way to win over consumers in today’s competitive marketplace. Instead, savvy brands make testing service providers a critical partner throughout their product development process. This continues to become more essential as category needs and consumer trends are always shifting—think rising demand for more inclusive and gender-free cosmetics, vegan formulations and products that support a healthy microbiome to name just a few. In addition, testing service companies, their customers and consumers are coming back from the pandemic—which has shifted concerns and priorities— and no company has been untouched by the challenges of supply chain shortages and rising inflation.

Happi checked in with leading providers in testing about key issues and how they are helping brands across beauty, personal care and home care navigate a challenging landscape, back their claims with data and keep safe products on the shelf. Our experts include staff from Advanced Science Laboratories, Charles River Laboratories, Comprehensive Research Group, Consumer Product Testing Company, Genemarkers, InVitro International, Skinobs and Validated Claim Support.

HAPPI: What are some of overarching issues impacting testing services in beauty and personal care and home care right now? 

Neil Zimbaldi of Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc.: Here at Advanced the safety of our panelists is our highest priority. This is why before conducting any human trial, multiple «safety checks» are in place. Passing RIPT and PET are good examples. We also utilize an in-house, in-vitro SPF screening procedure as an internal safety net (before any in-vivo work can commence) and for external R&D purposes. Since there is a very poor correlation between in-vitro and in-vivo data (plastic plate vs human skin), any interpretation of in-vitro work should be performed by trained and experienced technical staff. Recently we experienced a significant increase in misunderstanding among our new clients who seek to substantiate their label SPF claims via in-vitro methods, and not in-vivo. This is unprecedented and potentially very dangerous in our opinion. In situations such as this, we always take the time to properly inform these individuals to assure they fully understand the scope of their requests and the significant differences between in-vitro and in-vivo methods as well as US and International requirements for making SPF claims.

Anne Wagner of Charles River Laboratories: Issues impacting microbial testing are sampling diversity and microbial identification accuracy. Contamination can come from anywhere and personal care product manufacturers are not required to test their environment regularly; however, the oness ??onus?? of product quality is on them. Microbial contamination is not homogeneous; without adequate sampling of your environment, you could potentially miss microorganisms that end up in your product. Additionally, when microbes are detected, it is essential that they are identified correctly. Misidentification can have serious impact. In 2021, Burkholderia pseudomallei was found in a mass market home spray, which led to illness and death of two people. Burkholderia pseudomallei is a hazardous and pathogenic microorganism, which has been misidentified before as non-pathogenic Burkholderia thailandensis. These two microorganisms are closely related; however, one is harmful, and one is harmless so if you do not have an accurate identification solution and relevant industry library to ID them correctly, it will critically impact consumer safety. 

Tracey Baubie of Comprehensive Research Group: There is an abundance of issues facing the beauty and personal care industry – many of which are not unique; e.g., uncertainty of an economic recession, anxiety over the long-term effects of a global pandemic, and maintaining and acquiring talent during the “great resignation.” While these challenges are not unique to the industry, the impact is nevertheless significant. Economic uncertainty has resulted in sponsoring companies tightening their budgets and fine-tuning their protocol designs with cost savings in mind, reducing subject base sizes and narrowing the scope of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. A budget-conscious industry has resulted in smaller, more narrowly tailored study designs of shorter duration. Alongside this change, we have seen a significant narrowing of the desired demographics for the subject participants. As I have said repeatedly this year, our clients are no longer asking us to find the proverbial needle in a haystack, but rather they are asking us to find a needle in a hayfield.  

The economy also has the subject population demanding greater compensation to participate in clinical trials. As inflation and gas prices rose this year, we saw a corresponding higher rate of subjects declining to participate or simply failing to show for their appointment. As a result, CRG has had to remain nimble in its recruitment efforts, including making greater inroads into the community and reaching well-beyond our ~50,000-person database.

Likewise, while it will take years to fully understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on our industry, we are already seeing changes in consumer behavior that will drive product development. For many, the pandemic triggered a need for greater self-care. With that, many have looked to simplify their lives, including a more minimalistic approach to their beauty and personal care regimes. This trend will likely challenge the skin care industry, for example, to re-think the current “standard” of a multi-product skin care routine. A rising demand for a minimalistic approach, will of course, not alleviate the need for clinically-proven results substantiating the effectiveness of the product.

The rising desire of a minimalistic approach to beauty and personal care, dovetails with the trend for individual specific care, particularly in the skin care market. Microbiome-focused skin care is exploding. The industry’s challenge is to innovate skin care products based on the unique flora living on the surface of our skin, encouraging a balanced microbiome environment for healthy skin. There are even at home “microbiome” test kits, aimed at helping consumers select the right products for them. 

Unfortunately, while microbiome-focused products are a hot topic, there is no clear consensus on what constitutes the optimal microbiome balance or what ingredients are best suited for a specific type of microbiome. Moreover, the production of products that “permanently” change microbiome on the skin has proven to be elusive to date. There is more to learn without question, but if the industry can overcome the scientific challenges, there is a whole new world of personalized beauty and personal care on the horizon for generations to come.

Craig Weiss of Consumer Product Testing Company: As typical of a service business in the personal care industry, any regulatory issue real or imagined by our NGO critics have affected requests for new services. Our analytical chemistry department has been conducting testing for benzophenone, benzene and other impurities in sunscreens and other personal care products. With possible changes to the status of certain UV filters, we have seen an increase in mineral sunscreens being tested. With the move to more “clean” products we have seen more marginal preservation results for products in our microbiology department. “Microbiome safe” testing has also become a bigger issue in the past year. With the continued push to be socially-responsible products we are seeing more requests for invitro safety assay that don’t utilize animal cells. There also appears to be an increase in standard safety testing, which may be in response to the moves of many states to regulate the personal care industry.

Rishabh Kala of Genemarkers: Genemarkers’ testing is primarily focused on efficacy, which is an overarching and constant need in the personal care industry. Understanding how materials and how combinations of materials work to elicit a biological response is an integral part of creating a superior product and maintaining brand loyalty. Of course, efficacy testing can include a range of more specific issues such as testing of products across a range of skin types, including different ethnicities, compromised and sensitive skin.

Atul Jhalani of InVitro International: We believe the overarching issues impacting testing services now in these two areas are rooted in company practices and procedures, not necessarily in greater need for any new type of testing. Safety testing projects have begun to come back from covid-depressed times. Remote working conditions have impacted this generation and the speed with which projects (especially new products) move to testing. Normal development process has been slowed before testing services are involved in our experience.

Anne Charpentier of Skinobs: Since the 1990s, the testing services dedicated to the beauty market are in the center of the product development from the really first R&D project initiation, the formulation, the regulatory affairs and finally the scientific communication around the safety and the performance of the actives or finished products. The preclinical assays that gather a big and varied range of tests such as in-vitro safety, in-tubo physico-chemical analysis, ecotoxicity, biodegradability, microbiology, content-container interaction, UV determination or efficacy evaluation among other are a part of testing that has constantly increased for more than 30 years. This is mainly due to the better knowledge of the skin biological mechanisms and the continuous discover of biomarkers involved in the several cutaneous pathways and the necessity to guarantee clean, safe and efficient products that meet the consumers requests. It is secondly due to the development of the assay supports that enable us to study the products not only on cells (fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, etc.) but also on skin 3D models that mimick the skin with epidermis or full thickness models (dermis and epidermis). The technology to prepare these models is easier, and all testing laboratories can develop their own. In addition, these skin models can offer more complexity to be closer to the live skin offering additional annexes like neurons, capillaries, sebaceous glands and hair. Finally, the automatization of the in-vitro and ex-vivo processes make things easier…to study several test conditions (stress, homeostasis), several doses of products at different time.

Jane Tervooren of Validated Claim Support: We have noticed a significant increase in requests regarding recruitment criteria requiring a widely diverse ethnic panel touching on all Fitzpatrick skin types. We are able to recruit most ethnicities, although historically some ethnic groups are more difficult to recruit than others due to cultural norms. Additionally, we have more and more requests opening up to “all genders” as opposed to strictly female-focused clinicals.

HAPPI: What are some requests your company has received regarding testing over the past year?

Zimbaldi of Advanced Science Laboratories: Long-wear studies for color cosmetics, makeup products and hair dyes continue to push their time limits. We have seen these claims grow from 8 hour “All Day” claims, to 18 and 24 hours, while dyes are now in the 25-wash range. On the opposite end of the testing spectrum, we have dramatic increases in antiperspirant and deodorant testing requests. We are able to accommodate these requests by utilizing our 25-seat walk-in Controlled Environmental Test Chamber followed by evaluations by our staff members specially trained in scent detection.

Wagner of Charles River: Personal care product manufacturers are looking for faster microbial detection and accurate identification. Companies are asking us to help them save time, increase efficiencies and ensure product quality. They have a significant amount of time where inventory is stuck and waiting to be released from microbial hold. Our rapid detection method cuts down the waiting time and gets products out faster, so less inventory, less safety stock, and less warehouse space are needed. Our rapid method can also work with a wide range of products with compatibility across their portfolio to increase efficiencies.
Equally important to follow detection, they are asking us to assist in getting an accurate microbial identification using our industry-leading proprietary library. They want a solutions partner that can support their microbial testing needs from raw materials to finished products, and has the experience, resources, and tools with the speed that they need it.

Baubie of Comprehensive Research Group: One typical request we have seen this year is the request to test an ingestible product and its effect on skin health. Years ago we tested an ingestible probiotic, but we are now seeing a return of ingestible products aimed at skin health and a consumer desire for a more holistic approach to their beauty regime. This “beauty from within” approach has been popular internationally for some time, but it appears to be gaining popularity among US consumers. Accordingly, I expect more and more requests for testing of edible products that promise to support improved appearance of skin and hair. This inclusion of an ingestible into our clinical trials will be a change for our subject panelists, but we expect that they, like us, will embrace this addition to the industry’s standard testing protocols.

Weiss of Consumer Product Testing Company:  We regularly get requests for safety (clinical and invitro), efficacy, compatibility/stability and microbiologic testing from the personal care industry.

Kala of Genemarkers: Prior to covid, we had frequently seen trends in requests for specific types of testing that aligned with trends in the industry. For example, at different points in time we had seen a large number of requests for testing products in concert with different environmental pollutants including, most recently, blue light. Prior to that we had seen a lot of interest in CBD testing and prior to that we had seen an increase in requests for epigenetic and microRNA expression studies. This past year has been a little different in that we have not seen a specific, single trend. This may have something to do with the fact that companies are still emerging from covid. The common thread among our testing requests has been to validate efficacy and/or identify novel mechanisms of action.

Jhalani of InVitro International: Many beauty and personal care requests received this year centered around our recent Ocular Irritection (OI) OECD TG 496 adoption. OI is now the 1stand only 100% non-animal ocular irritation test method so adopted. The global interest has been for reasons of possible marketing advantages via test method used, as well as replacement of ex-vivo tests used prior. Lower cost, simplicity, time saved, and true 100% non-animal awareness have proved important.

Charpentier of Skinobs: At Skinobs we receive daily questions regarding the methods and the protocols for all types of claims for skin hair or nails personal care. With more than 6000 users from 93 nationalities we gather statistics cosmetics chemists seek. We notice that the main searched claim for clinical tests include hydration, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, soothing, glowing, regenerating, anti-inflammatory and firming. For the in-vitro and ex-vivo assays, the popular claims include anti-aging, hydration, non-irritant, microbiota of the skin, anti-pollution, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, strengthens the skin barrier, antibacterial and, finally, anti-UVA.

Tervooren of Validated Claim Support: We have had an increase in requests for general acne studies with a focus on high quality before and after clinical imaging. We’re also seeing a lot more CBD and secondary cannabinoid derivates that are expanding out into a wide range of anti-aging and anti-inflammatory use cases. VCS images are delivered fully marketing-ready, providing a powerful sales resource for our clients. 

Investment in Testing Resources & Services Testing providers have been investing in new equipment and expanding resources to offer their customers improved services. Validated Claim Support took delivery of Canfield’s newest Generation 5, plus 3-D Primos capture system in the last few months.  “This is an exciting addition to our own VCS clinical imaging capabilities which are widely accepted to be among the best in the industry,” said Jane Tervooren. Advanced Science Laboratories has a new Artec High-Res 3D scanner, which is the latest in skin surface topography data capture. Originally developed for use on the international space station, Advanced uses this blue light technology scanning device to take dermatology scans with 0.1mm resolution and 0.05mm accuracy. The data can be uploaded to a presentation, video or opened on a smart device. “With this data you can literally look inside a wrinkle to show surface changes to human skin,” said Neil Zimbaldi of Advanced Science Laboratories. Tracey Baubie told Happi that Comprehensive Research Group has focused on improving the efficiency of its subject recruitment. “We are launching a new recruiting system that will allow us to readily pinpoint subject demographics and historical study participation. This will allow us to more readily identify those subjects who would be the most likely candidates to meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria and have an interest in participating. Our new recruiting system will also allow for online screening, scheduling, texting and emailing, all of which we can do now, but through several different platforms. The new system will consolidate all these abilities into a single system,” Baubie said. At Charles River, Celsis rapid microbial systems replace subjective compendial testing using manual visual colony counting with automated results, providing critical information whether to release or hold products. Companies can reduce traditional microbial limits testing for bacteria, yeast and mold from 3-7 days down to 24 hours, allowing you to release products faster, according to Anne Wagner. In addition, Wagner said Accugenix microbial identification offers a variety of solutions including DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF that are accurate, traceable and reproducible. Microbial identifications are powered by the company’s industry-leading proprietary libraries, and the Accugenix Customer Web Portal includes a robust tracking and trending solution for all Accugenix identifications with customizable features for data entry and reports at one’s fingertips. Craig Weiss shared that Consumer Product Testing Company has increased both its microbiology and invitro safety laboratories to keep up with demand. Genemarkers has added two new testing services in this past year, according to Rishabh Kala, PhD. One is the addition of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to its array of genomic biomarker testing services. “This technology allows us to understand the effects of ingredients and finished formulations on over 20,000 different biomarkers in skin cells. It is an excellent way to detect novel and rare biomarkers, identify epigenetic modifications of aging, inflammation and even skin repair. This kind of testing can also help direct the design of more targeted clinical trials by identifying mechanisms of action that translate into clinical endpoints,” said Kala. Secondly, through a partnership with Sequential Bio, Genemarkers has added microbiome testing.  “This type of testing has been on the rise in the past few years and we are excited to be offering this in collaboration with some of the industry’s leading experts,” Kala noted. According to Atul Jhalani, InVitro International’s test methods deliver not only the highest level of regulatory validation and reliability, but also are the least cost, fastest and closest such tests to 100% non-animal technologies. “Our customers appreciate the ability to develop new products faster, market them more quickly, and their testing methods now resonate with global trends such as vegan and cruelty-free,” he said.

NC State & Gojo Study Looks at Surface Sanitizer and Disinfectant Efficacy Against Norovirus Insuring a disinfectant’s efficacy against pathogens is an important step for cleaning brands. A new study by North Carolina State University, in partnership with Gojo, found that total formulation (active and non-active ingredients) significantly impacts a surface sanitizer or disinfectant’s efficacy against norovirus. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the US. Globally, norovirus sickens nearly 700 million each year and costs an estimated $64 billion a year, primarily through productivity loss, according to a 2016 study. NC State researchers applied human norovirus and Tulane Virus (a newer culturable surrogate virus with similarities to human norovirus) to strips of laminate material commonly used for restaurant tabletops and tested the efficacy of four commercially available food contact surface sanitizers with different active ingredients (ethanol, bleach, quaternary ammonium, and a lactic acid and surfactant blend). Only the alcohol-based (ethanol) sanitizer significantly reduced the amount of virus on the surfaces (>3.5 log reduction)—the other products performed poorly (<0.5 log reduction).  Including a wiping step enhanced the efficacy of all the products by physically removing the virus. When the paper towels used to wipe the products on the laminate material were tested for the presence of residual virus, it was only on the ones used with the ethanol-based product that the virus was completely absent (i.e., the product effectively inactivated all the inoculated virus). The paper towels used with the other three products contained high concentrations of the virus, and residual virus also remained on the surfaces after sanitizing. If those paper towels weren’t handled safely, they could potentially further cross-contaminate other surfaces or skin. In addition, while foodservice establishment staff would believe these decontaminated surfaces were free of the virus, the virus nonetheless remained behind after using the other three products. “This research clearly shows all food contact surface sanitizers are not equal from a norovirus efficacy standpoint,” said Chip Manuel, Ph.D., food safety science advisor, Gojo Industries. “When considering products for an establishment, food safety professionals need to be confident in a product’s efficacy—especially for the hard-to-kill norovirus—so they should ask for data on product efficacy against this specific pathogen.” “Surprisingly, there are few controlled scientific studies that have sought to evaluate the efficacy of commercial disinfectants in inactivating human norovirus on surfaces,” said Lee-Ann Jaykus, PhD, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of food microbiology at NC State. “The same can be said for studies that address the importance and value of wiping, which is a common step in the sanitization process. Our work confirms a long-suspected phenomenon that there are differences in the anti-noroviral activity of various commercial sanitizers, despite the fact that some are allowed to make label claims of such activity. Label claim applications are based on data collected using a different culturable surrogate than Tulane virus, one which is often more sensitive to inactivation than is human norovirus. Hence, users should take caution, even when using products making such label claims. As for wiping, this step results in removal of 99-99.9% (2-3 log) of virus but fails to reach the >99.99% (4 log) reduction standard required for a product to be considered efficacious. Importantly, it the sanitizing product does not inactivate norovirus, the towels used in wiping can harbor residual virus which poses a potential cross-contamination risk.” The study, “The Efficacy of Commercial Surface Sanitizers Against Norovirus on Formica Surfaces With and Without Inclusion of a Wiping Step,” was recently published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Testing Services Directory

Below is a list of testing service providers that serve the beauty, personal care and home care categories. For more information, contact each company directly. 

Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc.
HQ City: New City, NY
(845) 634-1500
info@advancedsl.com
www.advancedsl.com
Testing Specialties: State of the art testing in RIPT/Safety, Infrared Testing (IRPF), SPF Determinations, Claim Substantiation with Biophysical Measurements, In-Vitro studies and unique Matched Scientific Photography (MSP) using proprietary PhotoGrammetrix (PhGx) image analysis system.

Allergisa/ALS Group
Av. Dr Romeu Tortima, 452 – Campinas, SP, Brazil
+55 19 3789 8610
www.allergisa.com.br

Alliance Technologies, LLC
Monmouth Junction, NJ
(877) 962-5993
info@alliancetechgroup.com
www.alliancetechgroup.com
Alliance Technologies is a full service, DEA-licensed, and FDA-registered and audited contract laboratory offering a wide range of chemical analysis and material testing services to a diverse, international client base. Our expertise and years of experience enable us to select the correct analytical approaches and generate the accurate data needed to solve your toughest problem.

Ametek Brookfield
Middleboro, MA
(508) 946-6200
www.brookfieldengineering.com

Beta Analytic Inc.
Miami, FL
(305) 662-7760
Email: info@betalabservices.com
Website: www.betalabservices.com
Bio-based content and natural products testing services; high-quality results in only 5-7 business days (faster service available) under standards that include ASTM D6866, CEN 16137, EN 16640, ISO 16620, ISO 19984. Results can be accessed online 24/7 including QA reports and sample photos.

BioScreen Testing Services, Inc.
Torrance, CA
(310) 214-0043
info@bioscreen.com
www.bioscreen.com
Testing Specialties: BioScreen Testing Services is a full service, GMP, human clinical, microbiology and analytical chemistry testing laboratory. BioScreen’s clinical services division conducts product safety and efficacy claim studies using a complete array of scientific instrumentation. The company also has sophisticated image capture and analysis software to provide the highest level of scientific image claim support. BioScreen’s clinical services include safety tests for irritation and sensitivity (HRIPT) on the skin and complete ophthalmologic safety tests. BioScreen specializes in customized studies to support product claims from moisturization, anti-aging, SPF and acne, to specialized scar, cellulite, esthetic and eyelash studies. Also offered are Asian subject panels and consumer use studies. BioScreen offers a complete array of analytical chemistry to serve OTC/cosmetic clients from raw material ingredients, sunscreen assay and heavy metals to photo stability, stability, and toxicological assessments. Our microbiological department conducts a compliment of specialized micro studies and ID methods plus more routine preservative testing, microbial plate count, log reduction and bacteriostasis studies.

Canfield Scientific, Inc.
Parsippany, NJ
(973) 434-1200 or (800) 815-4330
info@canfieldsci.com
www.canfieldsci.com

Ceutical Laboratories, Inc.
Farmers Branch, TX
(972) 241-8374
Fax: (972) 241-0619
info@ceuticallabs.com
www.ceuticallabs.com

Charles River Laboratories
Charleston, SC
877.CRIVER.1 (877-274-8371)
https://www.criver.com/
Testing Specialties: As a partner for microbial quality control, the Charles River portfolio of Celsis® microbial detection and Accugenix® microbial identification solutions provide the products and services needed to confirm the safety and quality of home and personal care products while maintaining an efficient and profitable manufacturing process. Learn more atwww.criver.com/industry/cosmetics

Cliantha Research
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 344-7602
www.cliantha.com

Comprehensive Research Group, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 781-3400
tbaubie@crginc.org
crginc.org
Testing Specialties: For over 30 years, CRG has provided quality data to personal and beauty care manufacturers. We provide superior subject recruitment, study execution and data collection for product development, efficacy and claims. We have extensive expertise in hair care, skin care, anti-aging treatments, antiperspirants/deodorants, baby care, men’s grooming and safety-in-use testing.

Consumer Product Testing Company, Inc.
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 793-8069
sales@cptcplabs.com
www.cptclabs.com
Testing Specialties: CPTC has provided a full service GMP/GLP/GCP testing laboratory for the cosmetic, personal care, medical device, pharmaceutical and specialty chemical markets. Our capabilities include services in the clinical safety and efficacy, chemistry/microbiology/stability, photobiology, in-vitro toxicological fields and consultation. Our focus is on providing “Conception to Completion” service. We are proud to announce the addition of “Gluten Free” testing, FDA Import Detention testing and new “Bundle” pricing on Predictive Patch, Preservative and Ocular Irritation studies.

Cutech Srl
Padova, Italy
+39 049 870 2225
www.symselect.com/cutech
Cutech specializes in pre-clinical screening services for hair and skin. To provide best suitable and reasonable results, we work with different screening models: Full thickness ex vivo human skin, Microdissected human hair follicles and sebaceous glands, skin and hair follicle cell cultures.

Dermscan Group
Lyon, France
+33(0) 472 823 656
www.dermscan.com
Dermscan is the reference in clinical trials of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products since 1990 and also realize pre-clinical in vitro tests in GLP certified laboratory. ISO 9001:2015 certified, its facilities in France, Poland, Tunisia, Thailand, Mauritius and international partnerships, provide them multi ethnic panels for standard or complex multiparametric studies.

EAG Laboratories
San Diego, CA
(877) 709-9526
www.eag.com

Eurofins|CRL, Inc.
Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
(732) 981-1616
www.CRLResearchLabs.com
Eurofins|CRL, Inc. is dedicated to providing a wide range of in-vitro and in-vivo clinical safety and efficacy testing to the cosmetic, beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. We focus our clinical expertise in the areas of Safety/Clinical Trials, Claims/Bioinstrumentation, Photobiology, Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Consumer Research, Product Procurement, Binding, and Distribution, Cosmetology, Dental, Gynecology, and associated services.

Evalulab Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
514-343-0001
Sales: sales@evalulab.com
www.evalulab.com
Testing Specialties: Established for 21 years, Evalulab is a Contract Research Organization that offers standard and customized testing services to evaluate the safety, the performance and the consumer preference of skin care, cosmetics, personal care products as well as medical devices and raw materials. The laboratory is certified ISO 9001:2015 and provides clinical studies that comply with ICH- GCP guidelines, FDA and Health Canada regulations. Our expert reports are a reliable source for substantiation of product claims.

Genemarkers, LLC
Kalamazoo, MI
(844) 220-6231
info@genemarkersllc.com
www.genemarkersllc.com
Testing Specialties: Genemarkers specializes in genomic biomarker analysis to optimize product development, validate efficacy and discover new uses of raw materials, active ingredients and finished products. Core services include genotyping, gene & protein expression, differential gene expression, microRNA profiling and immunohistochemistry. Genemarkers can perform this work on a variety of in-vitro or ex-vivo tissue samples or can receive clinical punch biopsies or tape strips from a clinical study. Tests can usually be completed from start to finish in as little as 4-6 weeks. Findings from the study are provided via a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report.

Idea Tests Group
Martillac, France
+33 556 64 82 33
www.groupeideatests.com

Impact Analytical
Midland, MI
(855) 615-1215
info@impactanalytical.com
www.ImpactAnalytical.com

IRSI – International
Research Services, Inc.
Purchase, NY
(914) 937-6500
www.irsi.org

InVitro International
Placentia, CA 92870
(800) 246-8487, (949) 851-8356
Fax: (949) 851-4985
invitro@invitrointl.com
www.invitrointl.com
Testing Specialties: Irritection Assay System (IAS) for ocular and dermal irritation. Ocular Irritection (TG 496) is the only 100% animal free OECD adopted ocular test. Corrositex (TG 435) classifies dermal corrosivity into U.N. Packing Groups and their GHS equivalents with 96+% accuracy, according to OECD. Least cost and fastest testing with results in 24 to 48 hours.

MB Research Laboratories
Spinnerstown, PA
www.mbresearch.com
MB Research Labs has been dedicated to conducting cosmetic and personal care safety assessments for over 40 years. Specialized services include, but are not limited to, in vitro dermal and eye irritation, dermal sensitization, and phototoxicity. An award-winning recognized leader in the development and use of in vitro/alternative toxicology.

McCrone Group
Westmont, IL
(630) 887-7100
www.mccroneassociates.com

Micro Quality Labs Inc. (MQL Inc.)
Burbank, CA
(818) 845-0070
www.microqualitylabs.com
Micro Quality Labs is an ISO 17025 certified lab, established in 2003 and offers a comprehensive range of contract testing services to the cosmetic, nutritional, pharmaceutical, OTC and household products industries. Services include analytical, stability testing (ICH guidelines), heavy metals, microbiology, method development and validation, environmental testing, water testing, pesticides/USP, 1,4 dioxane, amino acid testing and phthalates.

Princeton Consumer Research
Princeton, NJ/ St. Petersburg, FL
(609) 455-1112 / 727-756-7300
www.princetonconsumer.com

Product Integrity Laboratory LLC
Landing, NJ
(973) 770-7707
hbaker@prodinteglab.com
www.prodinteglab.com
Technical services: Product development and formulation, quality control and quality assurance, regulatory compliance, production troubleshooting.

Q Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 471-1300
office@qlaboratories.com
www.qlaboratories.com
An FDA registered, cGMP/GLP compliant, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical chemistry and microbiology laboratory. Services include: Method development and validation, microbial detection and enumeration, microbial identification, active ingredient analysis, raw material qualification, antimicrobial efficacy analysis and stability studies.

Qualimax LLC
Ridgefield NJ
201-313-3353
www.qualimaxllc.com
Qualimax, LLC is independent, FDA registered, inspected, and GMP laboratory. Qualimax, LLC, is an ultimate outsourcing laboratory providing accurate, reliable, on time, and cost-effective results for analytical needs, including microbial clearance, and challenge test. Qualimax LLC is equipped with automated GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV, TOC Analyzer, Karl Fischer and others.

RCTS, Inc.
Irving, TX
469-200-5140
rctslabs.com

SGS North America Inc
Fairfield, NJ
(973) 575-7175
www.sgs.com
SGS is an independent partner with global testing facilities, that offers turnkey and innovative solutions to help you improve the safety, efficacy and quality of your products throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our experts specialize in the cosmetics, personal care and household industry. Services include clinical studies for safety and efficacy claim support and chemical, physical, microbiological, stability, toxicology, and packaging testing.

Skinobs Platforms
France
+33(0)630089098
contact@skinobs.com, acharpentier@skinobs.com
www.skinobs.com
Testing Specialties: Analytical tests, toxicology regulatory, tolerance, use tests, ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo efficacy, sensory analysis for skin care, body care, solar, capillary and makeup.

Solar Light Company, Inc.
Glenside, PA
(215) 517-8700
www.SolarLight.com

Validated Claim Support
Teaneck, NJ
(201) 331-9300
info@validatedcs.com
www.validatedcs.com
Testing Specialties: VCS specializes in claims and efficacy support, novel protocol development and Validated Clinical Photography. Our clinical photographers have over 20 years’ experience highlighting unique product attributes through imaging and analysis which can demonstrate changes throughout the length of the study. VCS is FDA Registered and follows a custom developed GMP, GCP, & GLP hybrid Quality Management System.

Zurko Research
Madrid, Spain
(+34) 91-521-15-88
zurkoresearch.com
Zurko Research is a leading European CRO with more than 16 years of experience, specialized in in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo testing, as well as regulatory strategy consultancy services. Currently, the company carries out more than 7,000 clinical studies per year and has clients in 29 countries worldwide. It also holds different certifications, such as the UNE-EN-ISO 9001, UNE-EN IEC/ISO 17025 and CIR standards.