Cosmetics & Personal Care | Monthly bulletin | July 2025
From claims to proof: Scientific rigour in modern hair care testing
In 2025, the hair care industry is embracing bold claims: 10x faster growth, instant repair or anti-hair loss efficacy. These require more than just marketing flair; they demand robust scientific substantiation.
At Eurofins C&PC, we combine advanced pre-clinical and clinical expertise to support product innovation. From in vivo clinical studies on scalp hydration, elasticity and follicular density, to ex vivo evaluations using scalp explants or isolated scalp hairs, our methods deliver reliable, data-driven insights. Our Hair Tune® device uniquely captures the “sound signature” of hair, enabling objective assessment of softness, damage, and dryness.
Safety is non-negotiable. Our laboratories perform comprehensive physico-chemical analysis, screening for restricted substances such as 1,4-dioxane, residual solvents (e.g. benzene), heavy metals, allergens, nitrosamines, UV filters (in colour shampoos), phthalates, and more.
We also assess rinseability, vegan claims, and refillable packaging to support eco-conscious formulations.
By integrating efficacy, safety, and sustainability, Eurofins C&PC helps the hair care industry innovate with confidence and scientific credibility.
PARSOL® Shield: Is the U.S. sunscreen market ready for a scientific breakthrough?
For the first time in over 20 years, the U.S. sunscreen market may be on the verge of a regulatory and scientific shift. PARSOL® Shield (Bemotrizinol), a globally established UV filter, is currently under FDA review, offering formulators an opportunity to elevate their products to top international standards.
Already in use around the world, PARSOL® Shield is known for its outstanding photostability, broad-spectrum efficacy (UVA + UVB), and strong safety profile, supported by more than two decades of global market use. Unlike legacy U.S. filters such as Avobenzone or Oxybenzone, PARSOL® Shield resists photodegradation and is highly compatible with modern formulation systems, enabling more stable, elegant, and high-performing sunscreen products.
With an FDA decision expected by March 2026, leading brands are already reconsidering launch timelines and planning ahead for potential reformulations. Incorporating PARSOL® Shield could bring a competitive edge, combining scientific robustness with consumer-demanded performance.
At Eurofins C&PC, we support this transition through a full suite of services: SPF efficacy testing, photostability analysis, formulation support, and international regulatory consulting. Whether you're exploring initial prototypes or preparing for post-approval market entry, we help turn innovation into compliant, high-performing products.
Switzerland tightens cosmetics regulations: New furocoumarin limits from 2026
Starting January 2026, Switzerland will enforce stricter limits on furocoumarins in cosmetic products, marking a significant regulatory shift. These naturally occurring compounds, commonly found in essential oils like bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon, are known for their phototoxic effects, which can lead to skin burns, pigmentation, and even genotoxicity when exposed to sunlight.
Under the new Swiss regulation, all cosmetics that remain on the skin and may be exposed to sunlight must contain less than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) of furocoumarins. This limit will now apply not only to domestically produced goods but also to imported cosmetics, ending the previous leniency under the Cassis de Dijon principle 1.
This move sets Switzerland apart from the European Union, where furocoumarins are also restricted but with a narrower scope. In the EU, the 1 mg/kg limit applies only to sun care and tanning products, and furocoumarins are otherwise tolerated if they occur naturally in plant extracts 2.
The Swiss approach reflects a more precautionary stance, aiming to protect consumers from cumulative sun exposure risks across a broader range of products, including perfumes, creams, and aftershaves. Brands exporting to Switzerland will need to reassess formulations and ensure compliance well ahead of the 2026 deadline.
For cosmetic companies, this is more than a regulatory update, it's a call to innovate safer, sun-smart formulations.
Eurofins C&PC will support you in this transition by providing regulatory and analytical expertise to ensure compliance with the new Swiss requirements.
