Stability testing predicts how your cosmetic product will behave over time under various conditions. It is essential for determining the Shelf Life and the Period After Opening (PAO).
Types of Stability Tests
- Accelerated Stability: Storing the product at elevated temperatures (e.g., 40°C, 45°C) for 12 weeks to simulate 2-3 years of aging.
- Real-Time Stability: Storing the product at room temperature for the full duration of its shelf life.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Subjecting the product to extreme temperature fluctuations to check for separation or crystallization.
What Do We Look For?
We monitor three key aspects:
- Physical Stability: Changes in color, odor, viscosity, pH, or appearance (separation).
- Chemical Stability: Degradation of active ingredients or formation of by-products.
- Microbiological Stability: Ensuring the preservative system remains effective over time.
Compatibility Testing
It's not just about the formula; it's about the package. Compatibility testing ensures that the formula does not react with the packaging material (e.g., leaching plasticizers) and that the packaging protects the formula adequately.
Secure Your Shelf Life
Don't guess your expiration date. Validate it. Get a stability testing quote.
Learn more about Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET), which complements stability studies.