In vitro solar tests are gaining ground worldwide

Published: 22-May-2018

Sun protection efficiency for cosmetic products is evaluated using both clinical and in vitro methods.

Thanks to the International harmonisation, the SPF is mainly determine using the in vivo ISO 24444 method and UVA-PF is assessed using the in vivo ISO 24442 method or the in vitro ISO 24443 method that also includes the critical wavelength determination.

US and Canada are using the FDA 2011 final rule method for SPF determination and for UVA protection, the US is only requesting the critical wavelength included in the FDA 2011 final rule.

For ethical concerns, cost and schedule effectiveness, in vitro tests are more and more used over the world and, except for China, Japan and Korea who are still requesting only the ISO 24442 method for UVA-PF determination, the in vitro ISO 24443 method is now widely accepted for UVA protection assessment.

Taking into account this evolution, in addition to its clinical offer, IDEA SUN recently invested in a brand new laboratory for in vitro solar protection studies, equipped with the latest instrumentation such as Solarlight LS-1000 sun simulator and Labsphere UV-2000 spectrometer.

This new lab offers, in a GLP and ISO 9001 environment, regulatory and claim support tests, according to all international protocols (ISO 24443, FDA broad spectrum, Cosmetics Europe and Boots star rating).

IDEA SUN also proposes R&D screening packs for product development orientation, photostability studies and batch control. And, following a strong request from the market, IDEA SUN also extended its proposal towards Blue Light and Infra-Red protection studies.

Thanks to our experts we have already been able to obtain excellent BIPEA results for UVA-PF determination.

Finally, IDEA SUN collaborates with a famous public research laboratory specialised in the analysis of surface states, and funds a Ph.D. student on a research project aimed at better understanding the interactions of cosmetic products with the supports used for in vitro solar tests.

For more information, please contact Ms Hélène MAROT, in vitro study director: h.marot@groupeideatests.com

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