Hair and Skin Analysis

Using a powerful combination of topographical and chemical analysis using a range of techniques we are able to help you to understand how your product interacts with the intended substrate - such as hair or skin.

We can also provide objective hair testing for properties such as frizz or shine allowing the customer to evaluate new formulations and competitor's products.

Examples of this unique and niche service are given below:

• Skin analysis using Tape stripping to determine active levels e.g Aluminium
• Saliva analysis and plaque analysis for ingredients such as Triclosan
• Fluoride, Zinc determine in a variety of substrates
• FTIR-ATR analysis of skin to determine presence of specific organic species
• Biopsy analysis of scalp tissue.
• Hair dye analysis, deposition and ingress into the hair core
• Hair analysis deposition studies using XRF
• Frizz and shine testing on hair samples to evaluate effectiveness of products.

In Vitro Skin Testing

Assessment of the dermal absorption and percutaneous penetration behaviour are essential components of the risk assessment for chemicals, cosmetics, personal care and home care products that may make contact with the skin. Furthermore, in compliance with the REACH directive (EC 1907/2006) and the 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive (Article 4a) it is necessary for developers and manufacturers to employ in vitro methods for this safety testing. Intertek provides high quality customer-focused services for both skin irritation and corrosion employing validated, in vitro methods for a wide range of cosmetics, raw materials and personal care products. Intertek uses in vitro skin models to study the potential cytotoxic effects of skin applied treatments or chemicals. The models, based on human reconstructed epidermis which approximates the barrier of normal human skin. Topical application of a substance mimics the route of human exposure and ECVAM validated methods for Skin irritancy and corrosion can be carried out using these skin models.

Please contact us to confidentially discuss your analysis requirements.