In vitro testing: there is a range of activities of relevance to the cosmetics sector. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-elastase, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-tyrosinase. Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) routinely tests for these using biochemical tests (in a test tube). This provides a good screening platform to determine the potential of cosmetic ingredients or final products. Additional in vitro testing that CABR provides is based on mammalian cell culture testing. Cell culture testing facilitates the growth of mammalian cells in the laboratory; CABR has expertise in the growth, maintenance and testing of human skin cells such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Once these cells have been grown in the laboratory, ingredients and final products can be applied to the cells to determine activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, collagen production, etc. While biochemical testing for various activities is useful as a screen, cell culture testing provides data that is more relevant for real biological systems.

In vivo testing: CABR has a volunteer panel of over 100 people for efficacy testing of cosmetic products. This testing is fully approved by Munster Technological University (MTU) Ethics Committee. The purpose of this testing is to objectively evaluate the impact of cosmetics on skin with regard to properties such as elasticity, moisturisation, skin barrier efficacy and others. This provides companies with the necessary data to validate their potential marketing claims. Through this process, we may also uncover information that could be used to form new claims. The performance of sample products is tested using well-established non-invasive skin testing (analyser) probes. The probes are safe, hygienic and cause no discomfort.