Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1503366
Exclusive member benefit: Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 77 increase the risk of particles from the air jeopardizing the integrity of the fi nal product. The custom engineering of the closed vessel- homogenization machinery provides the most sanitary environment while giving the most even emulsion with molecular weight calculation capabilities beyond basic machinery. Each formula has a set of procedures and a specifi c protocol that needs to be followed when blending the raw materials. After the production is completed, automated equipment measures and dispenses the chosen amount of product into the desired packaging. The caps and labels are then put on. Each product then moves farther down the production line on a conveyor belt to have a lot number printed on it. Some products are shrink- wrapped for protection. The next step includes completing all regulatory paperwork, packaging the products into boxes, and palletizing for the customer. All complete products that leave the facility are stability tested to withstand extremely high and low temperatures to ensure their effi cacy when they leave the lab and to allow them to be shipped to cold and hot places while maintaining their integrity. STEP 6: RETAINED SAMPLES Retained samples (also called "retains") refer to a small portion of the fi nal product that is stored for a specifi ed period after manufacturing. The sample is kept under controlled conditions and is used for reference purposes in case issues arise with the product quality or safety. Retained samples are important for ensuring product traceability and quality control. If a customer complains about a product, the retained sample can be analyzed to identify the cause of the issue. Each product is assigned a production batch number and lot number, so it can be easily traced to when it was made. The batch number is associated with the entire batch of the fi nished product. The lot number is the number associated with the number of units that are fi lled with a specifi c product on a set day. For example, if a moisturizer was made in one batch and fi lled on two separate dates, there would be three numbers for the full batch: one batch number for the entire round of production made at one time and two separate lot numbers for the product that was fi lled on separate days. The separate lot numbers are attached to the correct timelines associated with the procedure and the team who completed the job. Several retained samples are kept—from the top, middle, and bottom of bulk production. They are stored to compare over time to demonstrate how the homogenization blends the top, middle, and bottom levels of the bulk product evenly with the same result. Retained samples are typically stored in a secure and controlled environment, such as a refrigerated locked cabinet. The length of time a retained sample is kept depends on the regulations of the specifi c country or region, but it is generally kept 1–3 years. GUARANTEEING QUALITY AND SAFETY Cosmetic manufacturing in a lab involves a complex process of research, development, testing, and quality control. The use of advanced technology and strict adherence to regulations guarantees skin care products produced in both small-scale and large- scale labs are safe, eff ective, and meet the required standards. From raw material selection to the fi nal packaging, cosmetic labs employ a range of techniques and procedures to ensure the quality and safety of their products. As the skin care industry continues to evolve, so do manufacturing practices. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on consumer safety, cosmetic manufacturers are well-positioned to continue to meet the demands of the ever- changing industry. Working in synergy with labs like Dermasystems Cosmetics Lab, professional skin care brands can continue innovating high-quality products for their customers. Resources Global Regulatory Partners. "Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Requirements for Cosmetics in USA." July 2020. globalregulatorypartners. com/wp-content/uploads/USA- cosmetic-good-manufacturing- practices-GMP.pdf. ISO. "ISO 22716:2007." Last modifi ed May 2008. iso.org/standard/36437. html. US Food & Drug Administration. "FDA Authority Over Cosmetics: How Cosmetics Are Not FDA- Approved, but Are FDA-Regulated." Last modifi ed March 2, 2022. fda. gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws- regulations/fda-authority-over- cosmetics-how-cosmetics-are-not- fda-approved-are-fda-regulated. US Food & Drug Administration. "Good Manufacturing Practice *(GMP) Guidelines/Inspection Checklist for Cosmetics." Last modifi ed February 25, 2022. fda. gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-guidance- documents/good-manufacturing- practice-gmp-guidelinesinspection- checklist-cosmetics.