Cosmetics microbiological contamination

Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors (1997) London HMSO. Spooner D.F. (1996) Hazards associated with the microbiological contamination of cosmetics, toiletries andnon-sterile pharmaceuticals. Iw.Microhial Quality Assurance in Cosmetics, Toiletries andNon-sterile Pharmaceuticals, 2nd edn (eds R.M. Baird S.F. Bloomfield), pp. 9-27. London Taylor Francis. 

The final check on purity is on the finished product. The high water content and the inclusion of nutrients for unwanted microbiota make cosmetics subject to microbiological contamination. Thus, topical OTC products and cosmetics require preservation and a final check before distribution. Preservative systems and GMPs usually ensure delivery of essentially uncontaminated cosmetics. The microbiologic requirements recommended by the CTFA include the following ... 

A major concern in the preparation of cosmetic, toiletry, or chemical specialty products is adequate preservation against microbiological contamination. Such contamination can arise from many possible sources, such as ... 

Excluding cosmetic defects, all units that would be procedurally discarded during production shall not be incubated. The reason for discarding shall be documented. It is important that the procedures for excluding units be sufficiently specihc to ensure consistency between process simulation runs and normal operations. Incubation of nonintegral units would introduce a risk for microbial contamination (e.g., during transport to the microbiology lab or... 

The criteria for microbiologic cleanliness of cosmetic products are especially complex. Like a drug, a cosmetic is deemed adulterated if 1) it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to users on the conditions of use as are customary or usual 2) it contains in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance and 3) if it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions where it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby... 

G Kraidman. The microbiology of airborne contamination and air sampling. Drug Cosmet Ind 116 40-43, 1975. 

In addition to primary-contaminated or microbiologically susceptible natural raw materials, many multiactive agents classes are based on an alcoholic or phenolic structure. These extracts, such as melissa extract, rosemary acids, phenylethylalcohol II, 1.6.] etc., often show strong microbial efficacy and can be used to support product preservation in cosmetics (Eggensperger, 2001). 

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