Visually Clean May Not Be Enough

By Susan Youngquist, Ecolab Technical Consultant, and Validation Manager

A global cosmetics company sought to enhance cleaning effectiveness and employee safety in its production of cosmetics and facial creams containing sunscreens. The initiative focused on establishing two standardized cleaning procedures—one automated and one manual—to minimize variations in execution. The automated cleaning process was successfully implemented, featuring a sequence that included a pre-rinse, primary cleaning step, and a final rinse, which operators found to be faster and less labor-intensive. However, challenges arose in consistently applying the new procedures in manual cleaning operations, particularly given the diverse range of products, including both chemical and mineral sunscreens.

Operators tended to rely on visual inspections to determine cleanliness, leading to variations in adherence to the new standard. A specific incident highlighted this issue when chemical sunscreen residues were detected despite the equipment appearing clean, underscoring the critical need for strict compliance with cleaning protocols to ensure product quality and prevent contamination.

Explore how to enhance product quality and safety in cosmetics manufacturing by standardizing cleaning procedures and emphasizing strict adherence to protocols in the article below.