The test report for the registration or filing of cosmetics must be issued by cosmetic registration and filing inspection institutions. The test report must conform with the requirements of the Technical Standards for Cosmetics, the Working Rules for Cosmetic Registration and Filing as well as other regulations.

In our last article, Is Your Scalp Healthy? – Scalp Health Evaluation Methods (Part I), we have introduced the evaluation methods for dandruff, sebum levels, and itchiness. In this article, we will continue with the evaluation methods for erythema/papules/pustules and the overall hair status.

On July 31, 2025, in order to further regulate and guide the research and evaluation of sunscreen cosmetics, the Cosmetic Supervision Department under China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) organized the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) to draft two technical guidelines: the Technical Guidelines for the Research of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments) and the Technical Guidelines for the Research on Quality Control Standards of Sunscreen Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments), along with their respective drafting instructions. These documents have been released to the public for consultation.

In-vitro Evaluation

This article compiles and summarizes the latest developments in cosmetics regulations in China and globally as of September 2025, covering industry news, newly issued regulations, relevant policy adjustments, and regulatory requirements. It aims to assist enterprises in ensuring compliance and keeping up with global cosmetics regulatory trends.

Since the concept of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) was introduced, various methods including in vitro approaches, Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC), and computational models have gained favor among toxicological assessment experts. With the increasing capabilities of computational models, key toxicological endpoints such as acute toxicity, skin/eye irritation, sensitization, chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and toxicokinetics can now be predicted using QSAR models.

On July 31, 2025, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released six Technical Guidelines, including the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments), to solicit public opinions. The following is a detailed interpretation of the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial) (Draft for Comments) and the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Quality Control Standards for Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial). This aims to assist enterprises in keeping up with regulatory and policy changes in a timely manner, ensuring smooth adaptation to regulatory developments.

In this article, we would like to share the hair thermal damage model conducted by CIRS Testing and Amway (Shanghai), as published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. The frequent use of hair dryers can cause thermal damage to the hair. Currently, there are various hair care products aimed at repairing thermal-damaged hair emerged on the market, making it necessary to establish a convenient and stable hair thermal damage model to evaluate the efficacy of such products.

On July 31, 2025, the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) released six draft Technical Guidelines for public consultation, including the Technical Guidelines for the Study of Hair Dye Cosmetics (Trial). In terms of perm hair cosmetics, according to the relevant guidelines, the definition and classification of them have been clarified.

Today, let’s talk about tear trough and lacrimal groove evaluation. Currently, many skin care products claimed that they could mitigate the tear trough and the lacrimal groove. Actually, tear trough and lacrimal groove are two different periorbital issues. Sometimes they conflated, likely because they often coexist.