Antioxidant analysis in the laboratory
The oxidation of cosmetic active ingredients affects the stability, efficacy, and compliance of formulations.
FILAB supports you with antioxidant analysis to characterize the antioxidant capacity of your cosmetic products and optimize their performance against oxidative stress.
Are you looking for a laboratory with the expertise to perform antioxidant analysis on your formulations and finished products?
Antioxidant analysis: cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and plastics
Antioxidant analysis apply to cosmetics (formulation stability, protection against free radicals), pharmaceuticals (extending the shelf life of active ingredients), and plastics (preventing material degradation).
In the cosmetics sector, antioxidants help preserve the integrity of active ingredients (oils, plant extracts, vitamins) and ensure the durability of formulations when exposed to environmental stressors.
Antioxidant analysis of cosmetic formulations
Antioxidant analysis measures a cosmetic formulation’s ability to neutralize free radicals and resist oxidation, thereby ensuring its stability and efficacy. FILAB performs these tests to validate your active ingredients and optimize your products’ shelf life.
- Chemical tests, such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC, measure the reduction of free radicals or specific oxidizing agents under controlled conditions, often using colorimetric or fluorimetric measurements.
- Degradation assessment, such as preventing color loss or rancidity in products exposed to oxidation.
Why perform laboratory antioxidant analysis on your cosmetic products?
Conducting an antioxidant analysis in cosmetics makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of antioxidant additives and ensure formula stability against external aggressors (UV radiation, pollution, oxidation).
Free radicals, which are responsible for the degradation of active ingredients and oxidative skin aging, require precise measurement of antioxidant capacity in order to:
- Quality control of active antioxidant concentrations
Analytical validation of antioxidant content (vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.) to ensure compliance with product specifications and guarantee the safety of cosmetic formulas. - Assessment of the oxidative stability of cosmetic matrices
- Regulatory compliance assurance (EC No. 1223/2009) and claim validation
Analytical support for preparing safety dossiers and efficacy claim dossiers (anti-aging, anti-pollution, natural), in compliance with European requirements. - Support for formulation development (R&D)
Characterization of the antioxidant efficacy of new active ingredients or natural alternatives, optimization of dosages and ingredient synergies to formulate innovative, high-performance products.
FILAB laboratory supports your antioxidant analysis needs
At FILAB laboratory, we offer additive analysis services. This includes antioxidant analysis: identification, measurement of antioxidant power, and antioxidant quantification.
Our antioxidant analysis services
FILAB laboratory offers antioxidant analysis services for different types of formulations:
- Analysis and quantification of antioxidants in aqueous formulations
- Analysis and quantification of antioxidants in polymer materials
- Research and identification of antioxidants
- Analysis of stabilizing agents
Our Technical Resources
A closer look at our cosmetic antioxidant analysis
FILAB offers a comprehensive range of tests designed to characterize the antioxidant efficacy of your raw materials and formulations:
- Overall antioxidant capacity: measurement of a sample’s ability to neutralize free radicals and inhibit oxidation processes.
Lipid oxidation: assessment of lipid oxidation processes, essential for the shelf life of vegetable oils and emulsions.
Oxidative degradation of formulations: identification of external factors (heat, UV, O₂) that accelerate the degradation of your formulations, helping optimize product shelf life.
Antioxidant stability of cosmetic formulations: monitoring the antioxidant capacity of your products over time and under real-life or accelerated aging conditions.
Our services related to antioxidant additive analysis
Analysis and quantification of 1,3-propanediol using chromatographic techniques: HS-GCMS, GCMS, HPLC-UV...
Active ingredient quantification: organic and mineral UV filters, vitamins...
Analysis of undesirable substances in raw materials and finished products: heavy metals, residual solvents, phthalates, bisphenol A...
Preservative quantification (phenoxyethanol, parabens, chlorphenesin…) using HPLC-UV, HPLC-MS/MS, and GC-MS
Expertise in non-conformities: particles, deposits, unknown peaks, material degradation...
Compatibility study (container/content interaction, extractables and leachables)
FAQ
Antioxidants can work in two ways. As primary antioxidants, they donate an electron to free radicals without becoming unstable, thereby stopping the oxidation chain reaction. As secondary antioxidants, they neutralize peroxides, which are by-products of oxidation that can also initiate chain reactions.
Most antioxidants used in cosmetic products, polymers, and other products are considered safe when used in accordance with regulatory guidelines. However, the concentration and type of antioxidant must be carefully controlled to avoid potential toxicity, particularly in products intended for human consumption. Research is continually being conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of antioxidants, especially those of natural origin.
| Chemical name | Trade name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (CAS 128-37-0) | BHT | Antioxidant |
| 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol (CAS 732-26-3) | 2,4,6-TTBP | Antioxidant |
| 2,5-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene (CAS 7128-64-5) | Uvitex OB | Optical brightener |
| Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (CAS 2082-79-3) | Irganox 1076 | Antioxidant |
| Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (CAS 31570-04-4) | Irgafos 168 | Antioxidant |
| Didodecyl 3,3’-thiodipropionate (CAS 123-28-4) | Irganox PS800 | Antioxidant |
| 2-hydroxy-4-(octyloxy)benzophenone (CAS 1843-05-6) | Chimassorb 81 | UV absorber / stabilizer |
| Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) (CAS 6683-19-8) | Irganox 1010 | Antioxidant |
| 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene (CAS 1709-70-2) | Irganox 1330 | Antioxidant |
| 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (CAS 20170-32-5) | Irganox degradate | Antioxidant |
Antioxidant additives prevent the oxidation of formulations, ensuring the stability of active ingredients and product shelf life.
The FILAB laboratory performs specific analysis to assess their effectiveness and optimize their use, particularly in cosmetic formulations.
Additives can be used to improve the taste, texture, shelf life, and appearance of products, or to facilitate their manufacture. They include colorants, preservatives, stabilizers, and emulsifiers.
An additive may have antioxidant properties. This type of additive helps protect food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial products against rancidity, discoloration, and the loss of physical and chemical properties.
Antioxidants are present in various industrial products. In cosmetic products, antioxidants protect ingredients that are sensitive to oxidation, such as oils and fragrances, and help maintain the product's effectiveness and integrity when exposed to air and light.
To analyze and measure the antioxidant effect of industrial products, methods such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC tests are commonly used to assess the ability of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals.
