Microbiological testing is a necessity for cosmetic products. In particular, the components contained in cosmetic products carry a high risk of contamination of microorganisms. Microorganisms are highly affected by environmental factors. Because of the content of cosmetic products, pH values ​​and high water content in it, it is an extremely favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms. Cosmetics manufacturers have to offer reliable and high quality products to the market and they have to give importance to the microbiological quality of their products. Before placing the products on the market, they must ensure the safety of the product and have microbiological tests performed during the production and development stages.

Cosmetic manufacturers are obliged to maintain the microbial quality and stability of their products for safe use. In addition, microbiological tests should be performed in laboratories for products with a low or high pH value, products with low alcohol content less than 20, products based on organic solutions and similar cosmetic products, where microbiological tests are not required, and the risk is relatively low.

There are many environmental factors affecting the microbiology of cosmetic products. For example, the presence of unfavorable conditions during the transportation and storage of cosmetic products, or exposure of the cosmetic products to direct sunlight, or keeping the cosmetic products in very humid or very hot environments are factors that disrupt the structure of cosmetic products.

Microbiological tests of cosmetics are also performed in authorized laboratories within the scope of microbiology tests. Accredited laboratories comply with the standards published by domestic and foreign organizations in these studies. The standards that cosmetics are based on in microbiological tests are as follows:

• TS EN ISO 22718 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Staphylococcus aureus
• TS EN ISO 16212 Cosmetics - Microbiology - Yeast and mold count
• TS EN ISO 21148 Cosmetics - Microbiology - General rules for microbiological determinations
• European Pharmacopoeia (this organization defines qualitative and quantitative composition of drugs, tests on drugs and requirements for substances and materials used in their manufacture)