Laboratory analysis of nanomaterials for the cosmetics industry
Reminder: what does the EC Regulation 1223-2009 on Cosmetics state ?
Mainly used as UV filters, pigments, mattifiers, rheological agents or opacifiers, nanomaterials are regularly used in cosmetic products whether that be intentionally with the aim of using their specific properties or whether it be unintentionally.
The 2009 Cosmetic Regulation pays particular attention to the use of nanoparticles, nanomaterials or any other form of nanotechnology in cosmetic products.
A nanomaterial is defined by the EC regulation 1223-2009 on cosmetics as an insoluble or bio-persistent material, made intentionally and characterized by one or more external dimensions, or by an internal structure, on the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers.
The Cosmetics Regulation therefore states that :
– Nanomaterials must be specifically labeled (must have [nano] in the ingredients list preceded by the INCI ingredient name)
– Cosmetic products containing nanomaterials must be registered with the European Commission via the CPNP (articles 13 & 16) 6 months before going to market
At the national level in France, the R-Nano declaration requires that the of nanomaterials be traceable. Whether their use is intentional or not, the use of nanomaterials must be declared and traceable through physicochemical characterization services. Regarding the unintentional use of nanoparticles, the main suspicions surround raw materials such as metal oxides and mineral materials (TiO2, ZnO, SiO2, Fe2O3, CaCO3…).
FILAB can assist you in analyzing nanoparticles found in your cosmetic products
FILAB provides a compilation of services centered around nanomaterials, namely those found in the cosmetics industry. Our laboratory is equipped with many machines capable of characterizing nanomaterials.
- Detection of nanoparticles and nanomaterials in cosmetic products
- Nanometric classification of raw materials and finished products
- Chemical composition analysis of nanoparticle-based products and trace residue analysis (ICP-AES, ICP-MS)
- Nanoparticle size and shape determination by SEM
- Count and particle size distribution measurement by SEM, DLS, Laser Granulometry
- Characterization of nanoparticles’ surfaces, Zeta Potential, TGA, SEM, FTIR, Raman, ToF-SIMS, XPS
- BET specific surface area measurement and Helium Pycnometry density measurement
- Development and validation of analytical methods specific to nanomaterials
- Container/Contents interaction testing
- Nanoparticle detection by SP-ICP-MS or A4F-ICP-MS
- Literature and regulatory reviews
- Analytical training
