HOW TO PROCESS HUMAN COSMETICS FOR ANIMAL USE?

The most common pet cosmetics include a variety of products aimed mainly at cleaning, moisturizing and perfuming the coat, as well as oral and paw care. Shampoos and conditioners are by far the most commonly used items, as they promote deep cleansing and moisturizing of the coat, adapting to different coat types and dermatological needs. Specific soaps and bath foams are also among the favorites, removing dirt and odors with gentle formulas that don't harm the animal's skin barrier. After bathing, leave-in sprays and scented colognes help to detangle the coat and leave it soft, as well as giving it a pleasant, long-lasting scent. For oral hygiene, toothpastes, mouth sprays and dental wipes are widely recommended, as they neutralize bad breath and help prevent tartar and plaque. Complementing the beauty kit, accessories such as brushes, combs and grooming gloves are essential for removing loose hair, stimulating circulation and enhancing the application of cosmetics.

More than just aesthetics, these cosmetics contribute directly to the well-being and health of pets. Specific cosmetic formulas help prevent dermatitis and skin infections, while respecting the pH and sensitivity of the animal's skin. In terms of oral hygiene, the regular use of sprays and toothpastes reduces the build-up of plaque and bad breath, reducing the risk of periodontal diseases which can affect the pet's general health. In addition, these specialized formulas avoid adverse reactions common with human products, guaranteeing safety and efficacy. To keep the coat healthy after bathing, conditioners, paw moisturizers and leave-ins promote softness, facilitate detangling and protect the pads from drying out and cracking. Finally, the pet cosmetics market continues to evolve rapidly, incorporating multifunctional and organic products that meet the growing demand from owners for increasingly specialized solutions.

Although humans and animals share the general structure of the skin as a barrier, there are crucial physiological differences that make pet-specific cosmetics indispensable. Dogs' skin pH typically varies between 5.5 and 7.2, and can reach up to 8 in some regions, while human skin pH is naturally more acidic, in the range of 4.1 to 5.8, which directly influences the selection of surfactants and buffering agents in formulations. In addition, the canine epidermis is generally thinner - between 0.97 mm and 3.6 mm - compared to the 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm observed in humans, which alters permeation and tolerance to active ingredients and preservatives. The absence of a well-developed acid mantle on pets' skin reduces their resistance to microorganisms and requires carefully balanced antimicrobial agents so as not to unbalance the local microbiota. The dense coat and the variation in the structure of hair follicles - whose density and depth are very different from those of humans - have an impact on the distribution and fixation of products, requiring specific vehicles for uniform application. In addition, the composition and balance of the animal skin microbiome are different, requiring formulations that preserve the protective resident flora without interfering with the epidermal barrier. The sebaceous and sweat glands in pets also vary in size and arrangement, affecting lipid production and the skin's natural hydration, which requires emollients adapted to their physiology. Finally, the application of human products to animals can lead to dryness, irritation or skin disruption due to inappropriate pH and intolerable ingredients, while veterinary cosmetics are formulated to respect the pH, thickness, lipidization and specific microbiota of pets, guaranteeing efficacy, safety and comfort.

To create cosmetics that are both safe and effective for pets, it is essential to use mild surfactants that remove dirt and produce enough foam without damaging the skin or drying out the animal's fur. Another essential point is to adjust the pH of the formula to a range compatible with the pet's skin (around 5.5 to 7.5), avoiding irritation and maintaining the natural protective barrier. The inclusion of emollients and moisturizers, such as borage oil or vitamin-rich plant extracts, helps to replenish natural oils and keep the coat soft without weighing it down. To ensure microbial safety, you need to choose preservatives that are effective against fungi and bacteria, but in controlled concentrations so as not to sensitize the skin. The texture should be designed to facilitate application and rinsing, using thickeners that form a homogeneous gel or cream, without losing the ability to spread and rinse easily. As pets have a much keener sense of smell, fragrances should be light or even omitted, to avoid discomfort and stress for the animals. The choice of stable vehicles, which unify all the ingredients without separating phases over time, ensures the uniformity of each application. Finally, before launching the product, simple foam, pH and stability tests are carried out to confirm that the formula meets the quality requirements and does not cause unwanted reactions in pets.

Stone Okamont has extensive experience in regulatory matters, offering complete advice on the regularization of products with ANVISA and MAPA, with a focus on efficiency and compliance. For pet cosmetics, Stone Okamont adapts its expertise to the specific requirements of animal hygiene and beauty products, ensuring that formulas, labeling and tests meet the safety and efficacy standards defined for items for use in dogs and cats. The team of specialized consultants customizes solutions for registering pet shampoos, sprays, creams and colognes, advising on pH, permitted ingredients, labels and stability studies to avoid rework and fines. In addition, Stone Okamont remains available for post-registration updates, assisting with renewals, formulation changes and compliance with new resolutions, strengthening the brand's image in the pet segment.