With the global penetration of skin care awareness and upgrading of personal care awareness, the use rate of cosmetics and personal skin care products has been increasing worldwide. It is particularly important to monitor the quality and safety of skin cosmetics. In accordance with the requirements of the 7th Amendment of the European Cosmetics Directive 1223/2009, in vitro test methods have been developed to replace animal experiments, such as the 2D test, 3D test, microfluidic skin chip test, etc. The microfluidic skin chip overcomes the shortcomings of the 2D test and the 3D test that lack the complexity of human skin through fine control of the human skin microenvironment and induction of relevant mechanical stimulation. High similarity to real human skin through simulation of the vascular system and immune response. Therefore, the microfluidic skin chip is considered as a valuable and effective tool for the in vitro screening of cosmetics. In this paper, we reviewed the detection methods and technologies of common chemical substances, toxic elements, active substances and adverse reactions in vitro in quality monitoring of cosmetics. The most advantageous microfluidic skin chip technology is also introduced. The material and technology progress of skin chips used in cosmetic screening is reviewed and discussed. Then the application of microfluidic design in cosmetic screening in vitro is summarized.