Patch
Testing
With over 40 years’ experience in safety testing and our dermatology heritage, we have a vast amount of experience in these types of tests.
Standard patch test example.
We offer a full range of irritation and allergy patch testing, including 24 to 96-hour irritation protocols, HRIPT protocols, allergy, and allergy photo testing.
Choosing the wrong safety testing and then suffering consumer reactions to a product in the market can be hugely damaging to a brand reputation, so talk to the experts to ensure your products are tested effectively to minimise risks.
Our most common tests are:
- 24/48-hour patch test
- 96-hour cumulative irritancy patch test
- 14-day cumulative irritancy patch test / human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT)
Variations on these tests are available and all can be conducted under occlusive, semi-occlusive or non-occlusive application.
Specialist tests are available for soaps and detergent containing products. Conventional patch testing of these products can give positive results because of the inherent chemistry of the product and because of the prolonged contact with the skin.
The soap chamber test uses an intermittent application schedule and also assesses other aspects of soap irritancy such as scaling and fissuring. Other tests such as the forearm wash test or anti cubital fossa wash test are also available for soaps and detergent containing products.
Predictive tests such as patch tests are invaluable but sometimes data needs to be generated by consumer-based studies, whereby the product is used as intended and consumers feedback on their experience to support the claims being proposed for the product. Cutest can organise studies such as:
- User/Consumer Trials for cosmetics, toiletries and other household goods.
- Specialist panels such as Sensitive Skin, Dry Skin, Oily skin can be selected.
- Controlled Arm and Facial Wash Tests.
- Hand Immersion Tests
- Wash and Wear Testing (clothing) or Wear Testing (disposable nappies, sanitary products)
- In use safety testing to identify irritation risks when used in the home environment
Even if products pass standard safety tests such as irritancy and sensitisation, consumers may experience unpleasant sensations such as burning and stinging. The face is the most common part of the body to experience this problem and the facial stinging test was designed to screen for products with this tendency. A typical protocol outline is as follows:
- Subjects selected as having sensitive facial skin (lactic acid positive).
- Comparison with control or marketed product with known history.
- Within subject comparison, left side of face versus right side, double blind.
- Intensity of stinging recorded by subject.
Beauty & Personal Care
Anti Ageing
Anti-ageing studies can take many forms, so we design studies to meet your claims and intended market use
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Moisturisation & Barrier Function
We offer a range of moisturisation and barrier function studies.
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Surface texture and Micro Topography
Cutest can support claims for products which reduce skin surface texture, improve visible appearance of stretch marks, and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
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Contact Us
Please call us on
+44 (0) 2920 625686 or email
us at [email protected]