XtraMild Skin Mildness Test

WHY CONDUCT A MILDNESS TO SKIN TEST?

This test can be used to assess the mildness of ingredients or formulations intended for application to the skin. Using a reconstructed human skin model, we can establish subtle differences between a range of test items, placing them into a rank order of mildness or benchmarking against known standards.

OVERVIEW

The reconstructed human epidermis ET50 method is a powerful tool for assessing the mildness of cosmetic ingredients or formulations in contact with the skin. Using an adaptation of a regulatory skin irritation test, subtle differences between mild and ultra-mild formulations can be measured, allowing a series of products to be placed into rank order of irritation potential (and therefore mildness). It provides a quick and cost-effective pre-screen, prior to human volunteer studies, driving key decisions in formulation development and providing valuable comparisons with industry benchmark products.

The test is commonly used to assess new baby formulations such as shampoos, foam baths and body washes, providing critical insights into the mildness of the product and comparisons with leading brands. It is highly relevant for a wide variety of other formulation types including facial soaps, cleansers and other skincare items.

The ET50 test also applies to cosmetic ingredients, such as assessment of the mildness of novel “mild” surfactants against classic surfactants, replacing the traditional tests which often lack relevance and the required level of sensitivity. The method can provide supporting information for safety claims such as “suitable for sensitive skin”. (Note that, in the absence of a definitive regulatory framework for the application of in vitro data in claim support, each ingredient or formulation must be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. The results must always be applied in compliance with relevant local regulations and advertising standards).

The test method is based on reconstructed human epidermis (RhE), which mimics the biochemical and physiological properties of human skin. The test item is applied directly to the skin surface, providing a good model of “real life” exposure. Cell viability is measured by enzymatic conversion of the vital dye MTT into a blue formazan salt that is quantitatively measured after extraction from the skin tissues. Irritation potential is calculated in terms of the “ET50” value: the time taken, in minutes, for the test item to reduce the viability of the skin model to 50%. ET50 values are used to assign the irritancy classification (Strong/Severe, Moderate, Moderate to Mild, Very Mild or Non-Irritating) based on the validated prediction model and, where appropriate, to place the ingredients or products into a rank order of mildness. The rank order is assigned based on the ET50 values, which can also be benchmarked against competitor products or historical data for specific product types.

TEST SYSTEM: RECONSTRUCTED HUMAN EPIDERMIS

Reconstructed human epidermis is a skin model composed of living human keratinocytes which have been cultured to form a multi-layered, highly differentiated epidermis. The levels of differentiation obtained are at the cutting edge of in vitro skin technology. The model consists of highly organised basal cells which progressively flatten out as the apical surface of the tissue is approached, analogous to the normal human in vivo epidermis. The model includes a functional skin barrier with an in vivo-like lipid profile. The profiles of key differentiation markers also mirror those seen in vivo.

The cells are both metabolically and mitotically active, and release many of the pro-inflammatory agents (cytokines) known to be important in skin irritation and inflammation. Reconstructed human epidermis is grown on special platforms at the air-liquid interface, allowing for direct application of test items in a way that accurately models “real life” skin exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE TEST METHOD

• Skin models are pre-warmed in a cell culture incubator (37⁰C / 5% CO2) for 60 minutes or overnight.
• The test item is applied to the surface of the skin models: triplicate models are dosed at the apical surface with 100μl (liquid) or 100mg (solid).
• Controls consist of ultrapure water (negative control) and 1% Triton X-100 (positive control).
• The dosed skin models are placed into a cell culture incubator for 1, 5, 18, 24 and 48 hours, using triplicate models for each time point.
• Test item and control substances are removed from the skin models’ surface by washing.
• If requested, the culture medium and tissue models may be saved for additional analysis.
• The viability of the skin models is assessed by MTT conversion. MTT solution is applied to the surface of the skin models and placed into a cell culture incubator for 3 hours. The blue formazan metabolite produced by viable cells is then extracted into isopropanol by incubation at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Triplicate samples of the extracted formazan solution are transferred to a microplate and the formazan product is quantified by absorbance spectrophotometry (wavelength 570nm).
• Absorbance readings of the formazan product from skin models incubated with test items and controls are used to calculate the ET50 value.
• A range of acceptance criteria must be satisfied in order for the experimental run to be declared valid.
• A prediction model is used to convert the ET50 value to an equivalent in vivo human skin irritation potential. Test items are classified as Strong/Severe, Moderate, Moderate to Mild, Very Mild or Non-Irritating. Multiple test items can be ranked in order of skin irritation potential according to their ET50 values.

Get in touch today to ask for pricing information.