Using skin models to assess the effects of a pre-work cream. Methodological aspects and perspective of the industry

There is a basic necessity to understand the mechanisms of the protective effects of pre-work creams. Additionally a lot of workplace-related irritants cannot be tested with the existing in vivo methods due to their toxicological profile. As a consequence, there is a need for additional in vitro models for testing pre-work creams.

An in vitro skin model test was developed to evaluate the protective mechanism of a pre-work cream.

The efficacy of 3 products was assessed by an in vivo test (repetitive occlusive irritation test) and then 3-dimensional skin model tests were carried out.

In vivo test results demonstrate that the best protection against sodium dodecyl sulfate is offered by a multiple emulsion. In the case of a skin model test, sodium dodecyl sulfate led to cell damage, an increase in proinflammatory markers and some barrier lipids. The pre-work cream increased the content of skin lipids, without inducing irritation or cell death.

Skin models support the understanding of the interaction of irritants and pre-work creams. Because they are in vitro models, there are no limitations regarding the selection of irritants, which offers numerous opportunities to test a broad range of workplace irritants.