Cosmetic manual

How to understand claims about cosmetic product testing?

Dermatologically tested

This test is automatically carried out for all products as a part of health safety testing, which is a statutory requirement under the regulation concerning cosmetics.

Testing method

Ophthalmologically tested

This claim means that a product has passed the eye area tolerance test and thus the packaging can say "ophthalmologically tested".

Testing method

Throughout the test, the product is applied twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

All changes to the conjunctiva and cornea are examined and subjective testing (questionnaire) is carried out at the same time.

Hypoallergenic properties

This test determines the hypoallergenic properties of a cosmetic product.

It is used to establish that a product is "hypoallergenic". The idea is to determine whether the application of a cosmetic product causes an allergic reaction. However, this does not mean that there will not be any consumers who are allergic to one of the ingredients. The product has a reduced (hypo) risk, but not a zero risk of allergic reactions.

Testing method

Moisturizing effects

If a product claims to have moisturizing effects, this claim has to be substantiated.

Testing method

Sensitive skin

This test is required for the "suitable for sensitive skin" claim on packaging. Prior to the test, a dermatologist chooses persons with sensitive skin.

Testing method

Not tested on animals

Pursuant to Act No. 392/2005 Coll. – amended Act No. 258/2000 Coll., on the protection of public health, 61. V Section 29 is completed with the following sub-section (5):

A manufacturer or an importer may use the option to indicate on the packaging of a final cosmetic product or in any document, note, label, flier or a sleeve that accompanies the product that no testing on animals was performed only if the manufacturer or its supplier did not perform or has not performed any testing on animals in a prototype cosmetic product, a final product or any of its ingredients, or used ingredients that were tested on animals by third parties for the purpose of developing new cosmetic products.

This claim cannot be practically used because even if final cosmetic products are not tested on animals, some ingredients (raw materials) may have been tested on animals in the past and unfortunately, suitable alternative methods do not exist for some tests that are currently performed on animals that will ensure human health safety with an ingredient. However, the European Union has been intensively developing them and a schedule for their gradual replacement has been determined and a deadline for their elimination has been prepared (see Regulation 1223/2009, Art. 18).

Repellent efficacy testing

ATTENTION! REPELLENTS ARE NOT COSMETIC PREPARATIONS!!!

Repellent efficacy is tested on insect populations (typically mosquitoes or ticks). The testing is carried out by the National Institute of Public Health. The test determines for how many hours the repellent’s protection lasts after its application.

Sun care product testing

SPF = SUN PROTECTION FACTOR, a UVB protective factor

SPF is most often used in sun care products.

The number expresses how many times sun exposure can be extended without the appearance of the first visible erythema (redness) compared to untreated skin (example: untreated skin turns red after 10 minutes; skin treated with SPF 30 turns read after 300 minutes). It expresses the level of UVB protection. This is achieved through the use of UV filters that are able to absorb the relevant portion of UV radiation (of this wavelength).

Every sun care product also has to use UVA filters. The minimum UV protection factor has to be 1/3 of the total SPF (so, at SPF 30, SPF-UVA has to be 10).

SPF can be marked on a product only as a number according to valid European Commission recommendations.

In addition to the number, a sun care product shall also verbally indicate the category, such as SPF 6 "LOW PROTECTION“.

Currently, two basic types of UV filters are used, chemical and physical (mechanical).

Testing method

Water resistance

This claim is related to sun care products according to a valid definition:

  1. A product is water-resistant if after 40 minutes of water activities (swimming, diving, etc.), the SPF remains at more than 50% of the original SPF.
  2. A product is waterproof if after 80 minutes of water activities (swimming, diving, etc.), the SPF remains at more than 50% of the original SPF.

Claims: Oil free / Paraben free / Silicone free

Oil free

Paraben free

Silicone free

Claim: Bio / Organic

Safety assessment

Cosmetic product assessment with respect to human health

Frequently used active ingredients and their effects

Manufacturers often use mixtures of different extracts, oils and other active ingredients with registered trademarks (such as: Kalpariane, Phycoborane, Firmiderm, Aquaxyl, etc.); their effects depend on their composition.