We’ve added three new tests to our cosmetic claims and efficacy testing portfolio, and we’re excited to share them.
All three are designed to give brands and ingredient suppliers the kind of robust, human-relevant data that makes the difference between a marketing claim and a substantiated one. And like everything we do at XCellR8, they’re completely animal-product-free.
Collagen Boosting: qPCR Method (CT-103)
This test measures collagen-boosting activity at the earliest possible stage: gene expression. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we look at whether your ingredient activates the genes responsible for producing Type I, III and IV collagen in human dermal fibroblasts. These are the three collagen types most closely linked to skin firmness, elasticity and structural integrity.
What makes this test particularly useful is the level of detail it provides. You don’t just get a yes or no. You get data on which collagen pathways are being activated, whether the response is dose-dependent, and whether activation is sustained over time. That’s powerful evidence for any brand building an anti-ageing story.
Collagen Boosting: Sirius Red Method (CT-102)
Where the qPCR test measures the instruction (gene expression), the Sirius Red test measures the outcome: actual collagen protein secreted by the cells. Sirius Red dye binds specifically to the helical structure of soluble collagen, giving a direct, quantitative measurement of how much collagen your ingredient is stimulating cells to produce.
This is the test for brands who want to say “our ingredient boosts collagen production” and have the numbers to back it up. Results are expressed as collagen concentration, fold-change and percentage change relative to untreated cells, so the data translates directly into claim support language.
Used together with the qPCR method, these two tests tell a complete story from gene activation through to protein production.
Antioxidant Activity Screening (CT-104)
This is a battery of three complementary cell-free tests that together build a comprehensive antioxidant profile for your ingredient or formulation. The ABTS test gives a broad total antioxidant picture. The CUPRAC test isolates electron-transfer reducing power. The ORAC test measures scavenging capacity against the peroxyl radicals most closely linked to skin ageing and lipid oxidation.
No single antioxidant test can tell the whole story. Running all three reveals not just whether your ingredient has antioxidant activity, but how it works, which matters when you’re formulating healthy ageing or anti-pollution products. Results are expressed as Trolox equivalents (a vitamin E analogue used as a reference standard), making them directly comparable to industry benchmarks.
This test battery can be used as a standalone screen or as the first tier in a broader antioxidant testing strategy, with follow-up studies available using cell-based methods and 3D skin models.
Why this matters
Consumers are asking more questions about what’s behind the claims on the label. Retailers want substantiation. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. Having solid in vitro data isn’t just good science, it’s good business.
If any of these tests sound relevant to what you’re working on, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@x-cellr8.com or through the contact form on our website.
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