Validating Skin Science

The British Skin Foundation is very fortunate to work with and be supported by so many dermatological groups and companies. The British Association of Dermatologists is a very valued contributor and its members both support and benefit from close ties with the BSF.

Several pharmaceutical, household and cosmetic companies also work with the BSF. Each day we use a variety of products, we wash ourselves and our clothes, apply deodorant and make up. The companies that manufacture these products carry out thorough tests in an effort to make sure they are safe for us to use.

To support their own research, many of these companies approach the British Skin Foundation seeking independent validation for their skin science.  The BSF validation process is extremely rigorous, with the research reviews being undertaken by leading dermatologists, microbiologists and skin specialists.  The validation process includes:-

• Detailed presentations by one or more of the appropriate scientific or research and development team demonstrating that the products are of benefit and when used appropriately are safe to the skin.

• A list of the current European and Global safety standards, applicable to that product and confirmation that the company has legally adhered to these regulations.

• Where appropriate information will be provided to demonstrate the safety of individual components with skin testing data even where such data may have been performed by another company.

• In particular the company will confirm that the individual components, as used in the concentrations within the product, and the product itself are neither mutagenic nor teratogenic.

• Access to user / clinical trials data in order to assure the benefit and safety.

• Evidence of ethics approval for research.

• The impact to the environment in the manufacture, use and eventual disposal of the product and its packaging.

• Evidence of worker safety at every level of the research, design and manufacture of the product.

• Plans for ongoing research.
So, the next time you see a product with our logo on it, it means that the British Skin Foundation has independently validated that company’s skin health research programme.