Efficacy Testing
We provide the following clinical and in vitro efficacy testings for the cosmetic industry.
HUT (home use test) and customization are also available.
Clinical Testing
Immediate moisturizing, elasticity, and resilience effects after application
A cosmetic product, etc., is applied to the forearm flexor to evaluate immediate effects related to moisturizing, softness, resilience, and elasticity.
Tests |
water content, skin viscoelasticity, trans-epidermal water loss (optional) |
Subjects |
5 or 10 ~ Japanese female (male subjects are also available) |
Measurements |
pre-application, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 hr after application |
Delivery |
approx. 1 M |
Samples |
skincare products, cleansers, cosmetic ingredients, etc. |
Claims |
retention of skin moisture, moisturizing after washing, sustainably moisturizing, water-holding, promotion of resilience skin, softness, agingcare |
Anti-wrinkle efficacy test with 4 week use
(in conformance with the Japanese evaluation guidelines for anti-wrinkle cosmetics*)
Tests |
Wrinkle-grade determinations by trained expert, full-frame DSLR photo, replica 3D wrinkle analysis |
Subjects |
20 Japanese female (male subjects are also available) |
Measurements |
pre-application, after 4 weeks use |
Delivery |
approx. 2.5 M |
Samples |
Skincare products |
Claims |
"Less Notable Fine Lines Due to Dryness" |
*Established by the Japanese Cosmetic Science Society (JCSS), Expert Committee on Anti-Aging Functional Evaluations (Cosmetic Products Functional Evaluations Investigation Committee) |
Aging mechanisms of the skin via gene expression of fibroblast←for R&D as well as product planning!
Whitening and skin-improvement efficacy test with 4 week use
(comprehensive analysis from every possible angle including hydration, barrier function, viscoelasticity, melanin, blood flow, O2 saturation, colorimetric and topological analysis etc.)
Tests |
water contents, TEWL, sebum, viscoelasticity, pH, rough skin, questionnaire, visual evaluation, |
Lab values (skin brightness, redness, yellowness), melanin index, blood flow (circulation) index, hemoglobin oxygen saturation index. |
|
Quantitative analysis of replicas which quantify various parameters of wrinkles and pores, texture, distortion and sagging etc. |
|
Observation via skin magnification under a microscope (texture, pores, wrinkles) and data analysis using the above-described software. |
|
Full-face analysis using VISIA (skin stains and blotches, hidden stains, brown stains, wrinkles, texture, pores, erythema, porphyrin) |
|
Subjects |
10 ~ Japanese female (male subjects are also available) |
Measurements |
pre-application, 4 weeks after start of application |
Delivery |
approx. 2.5 M |
Samples |
Skincare products, cleansers, cosmetic ingredients |
Claims |
whitening efficacy: clarity, skin brightness, skin dullness, blotches and stains, yellowish darkening, skin lacking dark circles (under eyes, etc.), skin clarity and whiteness |
Anti-aging efficacy: resilient and elastic skin, skin without sags and wrinkles, anti-aging |
|
Moisturizing efficacy: hydrated skin, skin with barrier functions, soft skin, skin with normal turnover, dry skin |
|
Skin appearance etc.: skin with fine texture, inconspicuous pores, without sagging, skin with good ruddiness, clear skin, baby's skin |
Biochemical and Cellular Assays
in vitro
Test set for three cosmetic domains〈whitening, anti-aging, antioxidant effects〉
In three domains where strong market demand exists—whitening, anti-aging, antioxidation—multifaceted characteristics of samples are evaluated reasonably.
Tests |
Tyrosinase inhibition |
Inhibitory effects of samples against melanin-synthetase (tyrosinase) are measured from the quantity of enzyme-product, dopachrome. |
Elastase inhibition |
Inhibition effects against elastase activity are measured, which decomposes elastin, a source of skin texture and resilience. |
|
Anti-oxidative ability |
Scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species which causes photoaging is evaluated using DPPH. |
|
Delivery |
approx. 1 M |
|
Samples |
cosmetic ingredients |
Test set for anti-aging effects
Collagen and hyaluronic acid are indispensable for ideal resilience and elasticity of the skin, which are essential to prevent wrinkling, sagging and nasolabial. In addition to cell proliferating activity of human fibroblast, the production of collagen and hyaluronan by fibroblast are evaluated in this test set.
Tests |
Collagen production |
The effect to type I collagen production by fibroblast is evaluated with ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). |
Hyaluronan production |
The effect to hyaluronic acid production by fibroblast is evaluated with ELISA. |
|
fibroblast activation |
The effect to fibroblast activity is evaluated from the rate of cell proliferation. |
|
Delivery |
approx. 1 M | |
Samples |
cosmetic ingredients |
Test set for antioxidant ability 《superoxide anions (O₂-), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), lipid peroxidation》
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the formation of skin spots and wrinkles, decline of skin resilience/elasticity, skin staining and yellowing, conspicuous pores, texture disturbances, and rough skin. Each ROS requires the corresponding antioxidant. We can evaluate the antioxidant ability of test materials for three types of ROS. Superoxide anions (O₂-) are formed in the early stages of inflammatory changes caused from UV irradiation. Hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are the most active ROS. The production of lipid peroxides (LOOH), causes oxidation of the skin components.
Tests | SOD-like activity |
The ability to scavenge superoxide anions (O₂-) produced from xanthine and the xanthine-oxidase system, is evaluated. |
•OH-scavenging ability |
Hydrogen peroxide produces hydroxyl radicals (•OH). The •OH-scavenging ability is evaluated in this test. |
|
Inhibition of lipid peroxidation |
The oxidation of linoleic acid (unsaturated fatty acid) is evaluated by measuring conjugated diene. |
|
Delivery |
approx. 1 M |
|
Samples |
cosmetic ingredients |
Gene Expression Assay
The effect of test samples on the expression of genes relating to whitening, anti-aging, and moisturizing is evaluated using real-time PCR.
Gene expression assay with RT-PCR
mRNA is produced from template DNA. RNA then forms strings of amino acids to produce proteins. We quantify complementary DNA (cDNA) of target protein mRNA using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This gene expression assay enables us to verify the mechanisms that explain the whitening, anti-aging, and moisturizing effects of cosmetics ingredients. Results obtained from this assay powerfully contribute not only to research and development, but also to product planning and sales.
Test set for genes related to skin whitening
Exposure to ultraviolet stimulates pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin, resulting in overproduction of melanin. Melanin moves to epidermal keratinocytes (cornified cells) where it is stored, forming dark spots and blotches on the skin. Using PCR, we investigate the effects of test materials on the expression of eight genes involved in melanocyte stimulation, melanin production, melanin migration, and melanin retention.
Melanocyte |
|
Tyrosinase (melanin synthesis related enzyme) |
Mc1r (melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor) |
Keratinocyte |
|
COX-2 (PGE2 synthase) |
IL-1α (inflammatory cytokine) |
Endothelin1 (melanin production promoting peptide) |
SCF (Stem cell growth factor) |
MIF (Macrophage migration inhibitory factor) |
PAR-2 (Melanin retention factor) |
Check the mechanism of whitening.
Test set for genes related to anti-wrinkle, anti-aging
The decrease in skin elasticity/resilience caused from functionally deteriorated collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid leads to wrinkles. Using PCR, we elucidate the effects of test samples on the expression of genes related to anti-aging such as production and decomposition of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in dermal fibroblasts.
Fibroblast |
|
Collagen-1 |
MMP-1 (Collagen 1-degrading enzyme) |
Elastin (Elastic fiber) |
NEP (Elastin-degrading enzyme) |
HAS-1,2 (Dermal hyaluronan synthase) |
Hyaluronidase 1 (hyaluronan-degrading enzyme) |
Check the mechanism of anti-aging.
Test set for genes related to moisturizing and barrier functions
Three factors are responsible for moisturizing and barrier functions in the epidermal horny layer (stratum corneum): (1) ceramides that compose intercellular lipids, (2) natural moisturizing factors including hyaluronic acid, etc., and (3) the cornified envelope. Using PCR, we perform intensive investigations of the effects of test samples on the expression of genes related to moisturizing and barrier functions.
Keratinocyte |
|
β-glucocerebrosidase (ceramide synthase) |
Alkaline ceramidase 2 (ceramide-degrading enzyme) |
Sphingomyelinase (ceramide synthase) |
Filaggrin (sources of NMF) |
Transglutaminase 1 (CE maturation enzyme) |
HAS-3 (epidermal hyaluronan synthase) |
Check the mechanism of moisturizing and barrier functions.
Methods |
real-time PCR-TaqMan probes/Endogenous control: GAPDH |
Delivery |
approx. 1 M |
Samples |
cosmetic ingredients |