Skin irritation tests experimental method

More recent publications on sulfosuccinates have confirmed the minimal or close to zero skin and eye irritation caused by these products. In a general screening of product safety evaluation methods the authors [16] rejected the sulfosuccinate from further consideration in the statistical analysis of experimental data (variance analysis) because the product had not shown any irritation in the Duhring-Chamber test. The sulfosuccinate (based on fatty alcohol ethoxy late) was tested in a screening with 14 other surfactants, namely, alkyl sulfates, sulfonates, ether sulfates, and a protein fatty acid condensation product. 

Measurement of differences in skin reactivity or sensitivity among individuals plays an important role in the workplace, as well as in the manufacture of safe topical therapeutics and cosmetics. Outlined in the following sections are objective and subjective methods of quantifying the reactivity of human skin to chemicals, which are potential irritants.6 The experimental basis of such testing is to quantify the differences among individuals to chemicals that produce characteristic responses using a standard reproducible procedure. Individuals classified as hyper-reactors (sensitive skin) and hyporeactors can then be identified. 

Regarding the various models used to investigate the efficacy of skin-care products, the validation of a sensitive, standardized and widely accepted model proved by inter-laboratory standardization or controlled clinical studies at the workplace seems to be necessary. Clearly, studies are needed, both under experimental conditions and in the workplace, before a rational recommendation can be made whether a product is safe and effective for skin protection. In analogy to the sun protection factor, a standardized testing method should be envisioned to determine a (irritant-specific) skin protection factor for BCs and a skin regeneration factor for post-exposure skin care. 

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