Beiersdorf leads backlash against findings that moisturiser raises cancer risk in mice

Beiersdorf is among the high profile critics of the results of a study, which found that moisturisers could promote skin cancer in mice. In a comment released this week, the German cosmetics giant and manufacturer of Nivea and La Prairie described the study, which included its Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream, as “clinically not relevant”.

The study, “Tumorigenic Effect of Some Commonly Used Moisturizing Creams when Applied Topically to UVB-Pretreated High-Risk Mice”, was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on 14 August. Scientists at Rutgers University, New Jersey, had originally planned to test the cancer-prevention properties of caffeine by adding it to the moisturising cream Dermabase. In checking that the moisturiser would not change the cancer model, they found that it increased the production of tumours in mice that had previously been exposed to ultraviolet light. Further tests were carried out using Dermovan, Vanicream and Eucerin.

Beiersdorf has defended its product, stating: “Eucerin has been on the market for more than 100 years and is recommended and used by dermatologists all over the world.” The company raised four main areas of concern with the study: firstly, that it did not comply with scientifically accepted or validated methods as outlined in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines; secondly, that because cancer-inducing damage was initiated by UVB exposure, rather than the application of the tested products, the title is misleading; thirdly, that the SKH-1 mice used were highly susceptible to developing tumours when exposed to UVB; and also that the study does not prove a relevant causal relationship between the effects occurring in the mice and the use of the skin care products.

Other commentators have joined Beiersdorf in questioning the implications of the study’s results. “Studies of mouse skin cancer have contributed little to our understanding of human skin cancer,” said Jonathan Rees, grant chair of dermatology at the University of Edinburgh. “It is well known that many agents that cause skin cancer in mice do not do so in man – indeed some of these agents are used as therapies.”

Brian Diffey, emeritus professor of photobiology in dermatological sciences at the Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, stated: “The UV source used to pre-sensitise the mice is a very poor surrogate for sun exposure as it contains far too much UVB and UVC radiation compared with terrestrial sunlight.”

However, the study’s authors do not overstate their findings. They conclude the report by emphasising that the study’s “significance for humans has not been established” and that “further studies are needed” in order to determine the effects of moisturising cream on sun-induced skin cancer in humans.