(Micro)extraction techniqes for cosmetic productsenvironmental samplesbiological samples
At 
we have a solid and recognized track record in the field of analytical control of cosmetic products, as well as extensive experience in both sample preparation techniques and chromatographic techniques, which allows us to approach the subject with the necessary knowledge and experience. Recently, we have initiated a new line of research focused on the development of methods for the determination of biomarkers as a tool for early diagnosis of diseases.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ANALIZE COSMETIC PRODUCTS?
Cosmetic products are used on a daily basis and, therefore, require careful control in order to guarantee the safety of users. This control must ensure compliance with the regulations required by European legislation regarding the components and their maximum authorized limits in the finished product. In addition, it is also necessary to ensure that the characteristics of the finished and marketed product are identical to those of the initial formulation designed, since otherwise the efficacy of the product could be reduced and even be harmful to users. To carry out this analytical control, it is necessary to develop analytical methods that can be used for the analysis of the components of all types of cosmetic formulations.
Moreover, since some of these components can be found at trace level in very diverse and complex samples, methods with good selectivity and high sensitivity are required. To this end, at we are developing new analytical strategies based on the use of various microextraction techniques, which allow the concentration and clean-up of the matrix. Moreover, it is desirable that these methods are fast and, as far as possible, their use is harmless both for the operator and for the environment.
To this end, our research group has been working since its foundation (1999) on the design, development, validation and application of methods for the analytical control of cosmetic products and raw materials, as well as their impact on humans and the environment, determining the concentration of authorized, restricted and prohibited components.
WHICH ARE THE CHALLENGES OF BIOANALYSIS?
Biomarkers are those substances that report on the normal state of some biological process or indicate the response of the organism to a pathological process or a pharmacological treatment.
The development of methodologies that allow the detection of small changes in the levels considered as ‘normal’ for those biomarkers, allows not only to diagnose the disease but also to detect it early, even long before the symptomatology manifests
Bioanalysis usually comprises the determination of compounds at very low concentrations in complex biological matrices. Besides, sample amount may be a challenge because large volumes of these samples are often not available. As a consequence, these matrices require more or less time-consuming sample pretreatments, usually based in (micro)extraction techniques and followed by powerful separation and detection techniques (chromatography, mass spectrometry…)
Our facilities
Our history
2018
The second edition of the multi-authored book Analysis of Cosmetic Products (Elsevier) is published. Professors Amparo Salvador and Alberto Chisvert are editors and authors of several chapters.
2016
The analytical methods included in the document N245-Cosmetics-Analytical Methods-LC- UV/Vis method for the identification and quantitative determination in cosmetic products of the 22 organic UV filters in use in the EU, proposed by our group, have been accepted as a European standard (EN).
2007
Their publications include the multi-authored book Analysis of Cosmetic Products (Elsevier), of which professors Amparo Salvador and Alberto Chisvert are editors and authors of several chapters.
