In vitro skin models in the optimization of skin formulations.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Dermatology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Transdermal drug delivery is increasingly important, necessitating optimized skin penetration.
• Current methods often use animal or artificial models, but human skin is limited and animal testing is restricted.
• There is a growing need for suitable artificial skin models in drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and overview the most frequently used in vitro skin models.
• To focus on the limitations and advantages of these models.
• To guide the selection of appropriate in vitro models for specific research objectives.

Main Methods:

• Searched scientific and medical research databases for publications on in vitro skin models.
• Overviewed methods from the Database on Alternative Methods to animal experimentation (DB-ALM).
• Reviewed guidelines from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Main Results:

• In vitro skin models offer advantages such as reproducibility, low cost, and ease of handling.
• These models facilitate rapid screening and faster optimization of skin formulations.
• Model composition can be modified to study pathological conditions and barrier function, though limitations exist.

Conclusions:

• The review provides an overview of common in vitro skin models, highlighting their pros and cons.
• Factors like accessibility, ease of application, and cost are crucial for model selection.
• Careful consideration of limitations is necessary to choose the most appropriate in vitro model for specific research goals.