New approval mark for sensitive skin products

An approval mark has been developed to help beauty brands demonstrate to consumers that their products are ideal for sensitive skin, demonstrating “good skin tolerance”. 

SGS’s Dermatological Tested: Skin Tolerance approval mark will help cosmetic manufacturers convey that their products won’t irritate sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea and dryness, for example, and will only be awarded to beauty items that are deemed to have “very good skin tolerance” or “good skin tolerance”. 

This comes at a time when skin tolerance has become an important factor for consumers, with 50% opting for this over price or brand name, reports SGS, and in the wake of research which claims that the removal of parabens could be driving an increase in skin allergies. 

What is the testing process?

Based on the PDI test, the approval mark will be awarded to products that match the dermatologically tested evaluation criteria in the European Union (EU) publication “Technical Document on Cosmetic Claims”. The test is available as either occlusive or semi-occlusive: 

Semi-occlusive

• Very good skin tolerance: no subject shows a reaction

• Good skin tolerance: one subject shows a reaction. 

Occlusive

• Very good skin tolerance: up to 10% more reactions than water; with 30 test subjects and no reaction, up to three subjects could show a slight reaction
• Good skin tolerance: 10%–20% more reactions than water; with 30 test subjects and no reaction, up to three-to-six subjects could show a slight reaction
• Or a moderate reaction to the product.

Products including creams, shower gels, shampoos, perfumes and bath oils can all receive the approval mark. Cosmetics sold within the EU must conform to Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. 

In addition, Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 sets out the common criteria for the justification of claims relating to cosmetic products such as “no tears”, “improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”, “skin appears smoother”, “Sun Protection Factor (SPF)”, and “48H efficacy”.

Did you hear? Scientists are exploring whether contact dermatitis could be prevented from developing on the skin.