Shower gels, face washes and make-up removers are used every single day, often twice a day, and frequently close to the eyes. They're rinse-off products, but that doesn't make them low-risk. Surfactant irritation, preservative limits, eye contact and products that are never actually rinsed off all need careful assessment. Before your wash or cleanser can be sold in the UK or EU, it needs a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) signed by a qualified safety assessor.
Our CPSR for Washes & Cleansers covers shower gels, body washes, all-in-one hair and body washes, foaming and non-foaming face cleansers, cream and gel cleansers, cleansing oils and balms, micellar waters and eye make-up removers. Each report is prepared and signed by a qualified safety assessor and written to Annex I of the Cosmetics Regulation.
What Your Cleanser Safety Assessment Looks At
- Surfactant mildness. Cleansers rely on surfactants, and some are harsher than others. The assessor reviews your surfactant system, concentration and pH for skin and scalp irritation, especially for daily face use.
- Eye contact. Face washes, all-in-one washes and make-up removers often reach the eyes. Eye irritation is assessed, and eye make-up removers get particular attention.
- "Rinse-off" products that aren't rinsed. Micellar waters and some make-up removers are wiped off rather than rinsed. The assessor treats them according to how customers really use them, which can mean leave-on exposure values.
- Preservative limits. Water-based cleansers need preservation, and some preservatives have strict rinse-off limits. Methylisothiazolinone, for example, is only allowed at very low levels in rinse-off products. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives may also need a label warning.
- Impurities in surfactants. Some ethoxylated surfactants can carry trace impurities such as 1,4-dioxane. Supplier data is reviewed to confirm levels are safe.
- All-in-one hair and body washes. Products used on hair, scalp, face and body must be safe for every area, and children's versions need an under-3 assessment where relevant.
What's Included in Your CPSR
Part A: Cosmetic Product Safety Information
- Quantitative and qualitative composition: every ingredient, its function and concentration, including surfactants, preservatives, fragrance and allergens.
- Physical and chemical characteristics and stability: pH, viscosity and stability, including separation and colour changes.
- Microbiological quality: challenge test review and microbial results for water-based washes, or a justified rationale for oils and balms.
- Impurities, traces and packaging: surfactant impurity data and compatibility with pumps, tubes and bottles.
- Normal and reasonably foreseeable use: face, eyes, hair or body, how often, and whether the product is rinsed or wiped off.
- Exposure calculation: rinse-off or leave-on exposure values based on real use.
- Toxicological profile: hazard data and Margin of Safety calculations for relevant ingredients.
- Undesirable effects: any known reactions to the product or similar products.
- Information on the cosmetic product: supporting data, including claims evidence where relevant.
Part B: Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment
- Assessment conclusion: a clear statement on whether the product is safe for its intended use.
- Label warnings and instructions: eye-contact advice, preservative warnings and other required statements.
- Reasoning: the scientific justification behind the conclusion.
- Assessor credentials and signature: signed by a qualified safety assessor, as required by Article 10.
Products Covered
- Shower gels, body washes and shower creams
- All-in-one hair and body washes, including men's and children's
- Foaming face washes and gel cleansers
- Non-foaming cream, milk and lotion cleansers
- Cleansing oils and cleansing balms
- Micellar waters
- Eye make-up removers and make-up remover wipes
- Intimate and feminine washes
Selling soap bars or liquid hand soap? See our CPSR for Soaps. Shampoos? See CPSR for Hair Care. Exfoliating washes? See CPSR for Scrubs & Exfoliants.
Who This Service Is For
Skincare brands launching cleansers and make-up removers. Body care and shower brands. Men's grooming brands selling all-in-one washes. Children's and family brands. K-beauty brands selling cleansing oils and double-cleanse routines. Private-label sellers and online sellers on Amazon, Etsy or TikTok Shop who've been asked for a CPSR. If your wash or cleanser will be sold in Great Britain or the EU, you need a CPSR first.
How It Works
- Place your order and choose your speed: Standard (5 business days), Fast (3 business days) or Express (48 hours).
- Send your formula. Share your full formulation with percentages, surfactant and raw material specifications, fragrance IFRA certificate, challenge test results and your label draft.
- We assess your product. Our safety assessor reviews surfactants, preservatives, eye safety, exposure and microbiology.
- We flag any issues early. If a preservative is over the limit or a warning is missing, we explain clearly and help you fix it.
- You receive your signed CPSR. Ready for your SCPN or CPNP notification, your PIF and your marketplace listings.
Why Brands Trust Cosmetic Compliance Nest
- Qualified safety assessors. Every CPSR is reviewed and signed by a qualified assessor, as the law requires.
- Realistic use assessment. We assess your cleanser the way customers really use it, rinsed or wiped.
- Preservative expertise. We help you choose systems that are effective, compliant and gentle.
- Fast turnaround. Delivery in as little as 48 hours to keep your launch on schedule.
- Trusted by 500+ cosmetic brands across the UK, EU and beyond.
- 100% confidential. Your formula stays yours. Verify any report we issue.
Legal Framework
- Article 10 and Annex I, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EU Cosmetics Regulation)
- Schedule 34, The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (UK)
- Commission Implementing Decision 2013/674/EU (guidelines on Annex I)
- SCCS Notes of Guidance for the testing of cosmetic ingredients and their safety evaluation
- Annex III and Annex V (restricted substances and preservatives) and Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 (where relevant)
Next Steps After Your CPSR
Your CPSR is the foundation of your compliance. To sell legally, you'll also need:
- A Product Information File (PIF), the full technical file built around your CPSR
- UK SCPN Product Notification or EU CPNP Product Notification
- A UK or EU Responsible Person
Want everything sorted at once? The Complete Compliance Pack covers CPSR, PIF, SDS and notification together.
Ready to get your cleansers legally on sale? Add your CPSR to the cart today, or chat with our safety team if you have questions first.
