The appearance of cosmetic products is relatively complex, and samples include water, milk, cream, butter, powder, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to select a method that is suitable for measuring the characteristics of the product, and the measurement results must reflect the measurement objectives and have practical significance. In other words, the preparation and display methods of the measured samples must meet the actual application and measurement requirements.
The specific method is as follows:
1) Lipstick
Generally speaking, lipstick is opaque at first, but after application, it can appear transparent, translucent, or opaque. Therefore, lipstick color measurement should begin with a controlled starting point, and different measurement methods are used accordingly. If you want to control the color of the finished product, you need to measure the overall appearance of the lipstick. Generally, this can be done with a fixture (as shown in Figure 1); if you want to control the color after actual application, you can usually melt the lipstick after measuring with a spatula (as shown in Figure 2). Lipstick colorists need to repeatedly prepare and test lipstick color to achieve a more realistic skin application evaluation. They can even apply directly from the lips, which requires constant application and scrubbing, which can be very damaging to the skin and lips in the long run. Therefore, we recommend using the scraping method when creating lipstick colors.
2) Foundation, nail polish
Similar to lipstick, liquid foundation and nail polish can also be divided into two measurement methods. One is to install it in a cuvette to measure the overall color of the liquid sample, and the other is to measure the foundation or nail polish scraper to simulate the actual application effect (as shown in Figure 3, Figure 4).
3) Liquids: perfume, toner, makeup remover, etc.
In most cases, samples of perfume, toner, and makeup remover are transparent, and some are translucent. These samples can only be seen through in the liquid state.
Cosmetic color difference inspection standards
The cosmetic color difference testing standard follows GB/T 13531.2 , Determination of Cosmetic Color Tristimulus Values ​​and Color Difference ΔE * . This standard applies to the determination of the reflected color of cosmetics without pearlescent agents and the transmitted color of transparent cosmetics, as well as the determination of the color difference between a sample and a reference sample. The principle of cosmetic color difference testing is to directly measure the transmitted or reflected color of the sample to obtain tristimulus values. The lightness ( L*) and chromaticity ( a*, b* ) of the sample are then compared with a standard sample (standard parameters) to obtain the color difference (ΔE * ).
The color of most cosmetics, such as eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, and eyebrow powder, is produced through light reflection. When white light from a sunbeam strikes the surface of a product, the corresponding wavelength of light is absorbed by the pigment in the cosmetic. This residual colored light then reappears on the surface of the cosmetic. When this residual light enters the eye, it stimulates the corresponding optic nerve, resulting in our perception of the corresponding color. For testing such products, the spectrophotometer’s reflectance measurement position should be used. During the measurement process, light from the instrument’s light source is scattered by an integrating sphere and then illuminates the surface of the sample to be tested. The light reflected from the sample surface is received by the instrument’s receiver, generating a corresponding optical signal. This is then converted into an electrical signal through computer processing to produce color data.
How to control cosmetic color difference; cosmetic colorimeter purchasing guide: 3nh color management solutions help cosmetics manufacturers:
1 ) Measure powdered cosmetics and avoid contact and contamination
2 ) Establish precise color specifications
3 ) Digitally communicate tolerances worldwide
4 ) Preparation of cosmetic color pigments
5 ) Leverage actionable data to drive process improvements
Quality Control of Loose Powder Cosmetics
1Â )Â YL4560/4520Â non-contact colorimeter
Non-contact benchtop spectrophotometer that measures the color of loose powder and pressed powder without contaminating the instrument
2Â )Â YS3060Â Â Handheld Spectrophotometer
Handheld spectrophotometer for collecting data and controlling color quality during development and manufacturing
3Â )Â TS7700Â Handheld Spectrophotometer
The vertical structure can economically and affordably measure the color of cosmetic powders or pastes with the help of powder test boxes or multi-functional test components.
4Â )Â SQCXÂ quality control software
Quality control software for communicating color expectations, ensuring color consistency and accuracy between manufacturers and throughout the production process
In short, it is necessary to select an appropriate measurement method based on the specific sample form of the cosmetic and the expected test effect.
In addition to the color testing of the cosmetic product itself, there are also some color measurements of skin functions. We often don’t pay much attention to the color of the cosmetic itself. We prefer to pay attention to the effect on skin color after use, such as freckle removal, yellowing and whitening, and makeup strength testing.
The “Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications” promulgated in March 2021 explicitly added a test method for cosmetics to remove freckles, yellowing, and whitening. Cosmetics with whitening and freckle removal effects need to be researched and tested in this regard. This method involves conducting specific experimental tests to determine the changes in skin color before and after using freckle removal and whitening products, and then judging the quality of the cosmetics. The individual type angle (ITA) is a good method for evaluating skin color. The larger the ITA° value, the lighter the skin color, and vice versa. The formula is as follows:
For makeup removers, in addition to paying attention to the color control of the product itself, the requirements of the makeup remover are also very important. The specific testing method is to measure the error in skin color before and after applying makeup (as shown in Figure 6). The smaller the color error, the better the makeup remover; the larger the color error, the worse the makeup remover.
Before applying makeup products After applying makeup products Makeup removal
Below is the makeup remover review we did using three makeup removers. From the data, we can see that makeup remover 2 has the best makeup removal effect.
As you can see, cosmetics products come in many varieties and have varying requirements. We can customize different measurement solutions to meet the diverse needs of your company. Welcome to discuss your cosmetics color measurement issues with us.
Key Color Measurement Applications in Cosmetics
1. Creams, Lotions, and Serums
Measurement of creams and lotions needs special methods to address the translucency and the texture. 3NH devices work with sphere geometry and UV filtering. This allows them to give the correct value of semi-opaque personal care products.
2. Lipsticks and Nail Polishes
The products are glossy and have bright pigments. With the help of color measurement tools, 3NH contributes to the uniformity of colors within batches and also in various lighting conditions.
3. Loose and Compact Powders
Powders are a problem because they are particulate. 3NH instruments have special sample holders that give reproducible sample presentations to allow the instrument to be measured with high precision.
4. Hair Color Products
Some of the most changeable and responsive cosmetic products include hair dyes. The manufacturers can examine the dye base color and formulation of the shade. As well as post-application color under various types of lighting, using a hair color measuring tool. Learn more https://www.threenh.com/Cosmetics/
