Counterfeit cosmetics: why product identity and traceability matter
Tests of seized counterfeit cosmetics found potentially harmful substances. Here's what the findings say, and what they cannot tell us about the wider market.
5 min read
The journals
Three perspectives on the science and craft of cosmetics.
Glycerin in moisturisers: hydration, concentration and feel
Glycerin’s hydration results depend on the formula and test. Look at concentration, water loss, and after-feel when comparing moisturisers.
3 min read
How to compare foam and cleansing performance
Lather can be part of a good cleanser experience. Measuring it does not measure makeup removal or establish skin tolerance.
3 min read
Planning a cosmetic packaging compatibility study
A formula can look unchanged while its pump stops working properly. Plan the study around both the contents and the complete pack.
3 min read
What niacinamide studies tell formulators
The familiar 5% study, oil measurements, and barrier research answer different questions. Use those differences to plan the next formula comparison.
3 min read
Contamination risks between mixing and filling
Follow the batch through hoses, holds, pumps, and filling. Each stage can raise a different contamination question.
3 min read
pH and buffer capacity: why the same reading can behave differently
Two formulas can share pH 5.2 and respond differently to an addition. Understand buffer capacity, measurement conditions, and the limits of a pH result.
3 min read
Who did what, and when? Reading a laboratory record
A measurement at 09:10, an entry at 09:25, and a review at 10:00 are different events. A laboratory record should make each understandable.
3 min read
Which formula did we make? Keeping versions identifiable
A pilot ticket says version 3, but its quantities match version 4. Here is how clear formula history helps resolve that mismatch.
3 min read