TESTING
Figure 3: Proportion of standard patch tests and sensitive patch tests. More than 14.500 patch tests were performed in the years 2020-2023. Most of the them were standard patch tests with mixed panel or with specifically sensitive skin
tested in total more than 16,700 products in different test designs. The basic test to determine skin tolerance
is the patch test. This is routinely carried out by Dermatest on a weekly basis with different panels of test subjects. Thus, not only mixed panels with participants with all skin types are included, but also tests with specific skin types like sensitive or even atopic skin are performed. Analysis of Dermatest’s data shows that the proportion of patch tests with subjects with sensitive skin is increasing (Figure 3). In 2020, the proportion of sensitive tests
was 19%. In the following years, it rose steadily: in 2021 and 2022 it was around 25% and in 2023 it was already almost 29%, an increase of more than 50% from 2020 to 2023. Overall, the total number of patch tests
carried out increases over the years. Yet the proportion of tests on mixed subject panels is decreasing slightly. Thus, a clear trend is reflected here. The increase in the number of tests with products for sensitive skin, underscores the rising concern and demand for sensitive skin-compatible products. Furthermore, there has been a notable
increase in testing among subjects with pre- existing skin diseases like atopic dermatitis. Figure 4 is nicely showing the percentage increase of Dermatest’s patch testings performed with subjects suffering from atopic dermatitis. In 2020, only a few testings have been
performed. Related to this quantity, the amount almost doubled in 2021 (188%), more than tripled in 2022 (329%) and almost quadrupled in 2023 (370%). Compared to the number of all patch tests performed by Dermatest, the number of tests on atopic skin is low, but the results point out a broader awareness of the need for specialized care in product formulation and specific test designs for safe product testing.
Conclusion and future directions Sensitive skin is and will remain a complex dermatological challenge that affects a substantial portion of the population. Due to many years of in-depth experience and performance of more than 16,700 testings of products from 2020-2023, Dermatest can identify a clear trend and the need for products that are particularly suitable for end consumers with sensitive skin. Even though the proportion of women with
sensitive skin is higher, a need for products for sensitive male skin can also be seen. The demand for products suitable for sensitive skin has been also rising in recent years, because consumers are better informed today and explicitly seek products that are safe, effective and appropriate for their specific skin. Consistent with this, the demand for sensitive skin testing is increasing. The
www.personalcaremagazine.com July 2024 PERSONAL CARE Standard patch test ■ Sensitive test ■ 100 80 60 40 20 19% 0 2020 2021 2022 2023 25% 25% 29% 80% 74% 73% 69%
23
Completed patch tests in %
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