Dermatology and Psychophysiology

The dermatological effect, such as an improvement in the skin barrier or an increase in skin firmness, are decisive arguments for the use of skin care products.

Psychophysiological claims, such as an increase in well-being or a reduction in stress, supplement the promise of efficacy of cosmetic products and increase consumers' willingness to buy.

In order to be allowed to claim such effects, proof of efficacy is required, which must be stored in the product information file (Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Art. 11). For this purpose, the Fraunhofer ISC and Fraunhofer IVV institutes offer a holistic claim-verification service, in which both skin efficacy in in vitro tests and product efficacy in in vivo tests can be investigated.

The Fraunhofer ISC Skin Research Group specializes in in vitro skin research, focusing in particular on the study of the skin barrier and the analysis of the effects of various substances on skin health and their potential effects.
Various in vitro models are applied to this research, including the use of RHE (Reconstructed Human Epidermis) in vitro skin, FTSE (Full-Thickness Skin Equivalent) in vitro skin, and stem cell-based skin organoids. This makes it possible to investigate both atopic and other application possibilities and to address the questions at different levels of complexity. The analyses include both non-destructive methods as well as endpoint analyses whereby detailed and significant information on the effects of the investigated raw materials and products can be obtained.