Sunscreen, Serums, and Actives: Formulation Basics for Cosmetics

Cosmetic formulators work with a wide range of actives—from sunscreen filters to vitamins and peptides. Here’s how to approach these formulations with compliance in mind.

Sunscreen and SPF

Sunscreen actives are heavily regulated; concentration limits and approved filters vary by market (e.g. Health Canada, FDA, EU). Formulation software that validates against these rules helps you stay within limits and avoid reformulation late in the process.

Serums and actives

Serums often pack high concentrations of actives. Stability, pH, and compatibility matter. Tracking which formulation version was used for stability or efficacy testing keeps your data aligned for claims and submissions.

One workspace for cosmetics

Mix Lab AI’s cosmetics vertical supports INCI, Health Canada, and certification checks so you can formulate sun care, serums, and actives with confidence.