Cosmetic Product Testing

 

TA.XTplus Texture Analyser

All of the texture analyser range can be used for testing the products listed below. A selection of special attachments and typical measurements are also shown which are commonly used in this application area.  However, this does not show the complete range of attachments available for the testing of cosmetic products.  Test procedures include: compression, puncture/penetration, tension, fracture/bending, extrusion, cutting/shearing.

TA.HDplus Texture Analyser

Lipstick Break Strength This cantilever test provides both imitative and empirical results in one test. Action is provided by a hemispherical edged blade which simulates the bending action caused during application.	Typical measurements include: Hardness: lipstick, lip balm, wax, false nails Break Strength: lipstick, eye liner, lip liner Consistency: moisturising cream, paste Compaction Strength: eye shadow, face powders Container lid opening force Actuation force of pumps/sprays Friction: cosmetic applications, exfoliators Spreadability: creams, face mask formulae Stickiness: nail lacquers Curing: nail lacquers Combability: hair preparations Bending Strength: hair curls Sachet Content removal force	Cylinder/Needle Probes for Hardness measurement Lipstick Hardness is an important determination and is described in the ASTM Standard Method of Test D1321-95 which specifies the use of a needle penetration test. Besides determining lipstick Hardness , this test may also indicate the presence of unwanted trapped air bubbles, or a "grainy" texture as a result of either incomplete colorant dispersion or the working and chilling processes during manufacture.
Small Diameter Cylinder Probes The test shown above can indicate the presence of air pockets beneath the sample surface, which may be undesirable, and the optimal pressing time and weight of e.g. eyeshadow and compressed face powders		Eye Pencil Rig The test shown above provides the means to quantitatively measure the Hardness of pencil tips such as those for eye- or liplining products. Results will assess such process variables as the modification of wax content or product quality as a result of extreme temperature conditions.
Cone/cylinder/needle probe A standard test such as ASTM Dl 321 -95 using a needle probe or ASTM D937-92 using a conical probe provides a means of measuring the firmness or consistency of waxes and is also suitable to assess the hardness of soap and similar products (as shown).	Hair Combing Rig (Registered Design) Enables the comb to be disengaged at the end of each combing stroke for realistic assessment of hair combability	Back/Forward Extrusion Rig Consistency of moisturising cream can be assessed by either a forward extrusion test (simulating the force required to extrude a sample by the consumer) or a backward extrusion test which will give an indication of product physical failure and viscosity.
Tube/Sachet Extrusion Rig allows manufacturers to measure the ease of removal and application of products such as sauces, pastes, creams and gels	Actuation Force Testing allows measurement of the force required to release hair fixatives from aerosols, soap/cream from dispensers	Film Support Rig This rig allows testing of thin, film-like products to measure the burst strength, resilience and relaxation properties.

Application Studies are available for the testing of COSMETIC products using either the TA.XT2i, TA.XTplus or TA.HDplus texture analysers. In addition, scientific papers have been published which reference the use of the TA.XT2i/TA.XTplus/TA.HDplus in the testing of COSMETIC products. Click here for paper titles and citation details.