A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Animal Testing
We do not carry out and commission any testing on animals for the sebamed products. This is in line with the ban on animal testing that has been applied for cosmetics throughout the EU since a few years ago. Even before this, the sebamed products were not tested on animals.


Cosmetic products must not be harmful to health.

It must therefore be certain that their components are also harmless.


The raw material manufacturers from whom we obtain the components of the sebamed products are legally obliged to provide evidence of the harmlessness of the substances.


For this, legislation continues to require animal testing.


Certain animal protection associations issue seals for such products that only contain components which were tested for harmlessness a longer time ago. This excludes the use of new, ecologically or dermatologically beneficial substances as well as the checking of old safety data with modern, possibly more conclusive, methods. For this reason, in case of sebamed products it cannot be ruled out with certainty that the components have been tested on animals. However, this applies to all available cosmetics unless they eschew newer ingredients.


Even then, in the majority of substances the proof of harmlessness is based on animal testing, even if this was carried out a long time ago.
B
Bioengineering methods
Methods to measure skin finction parameters with the help of special devices. pH-meter for measuring  skin surface pH Corneometer, Infrarotspektroskopy, or Magnet resonnance tomography to measure skin hydration Sebumeter for skin surface lipid determination TEWa-Meter or Evaporimeter for barrier function assessment via water evaporation Cutometer for skin elasticity Chromameter for skin colour Ultrasound sonography to measure ksin thickness Profilometry, Visiometry, or skin surfametry to detect the skin  surface profile and quantify wrinkles etc.
C
Chromameter
Device to measure skin colour, suited to monitor skin inflammation via redness. It is also used to quantify skin cleansing effects. For this purpose, a red soiling paste is applied and the fading of the red colour by standarised washing is recorded.
Corneometer
Determines the electrical capacitance of the skin which is proportional to its water content, or hydration.
Cutometer
Measures the elasticity of the skin. A pressure below the athmospheric pressure is applied to suck the skin into a hollow space. After increasing the pressure to normal the skin returns to its original form, on its way passing a photoelectric beam within the hollow space giving a signal. The signal delay is indicative of the elasticity of the skin: the faster, the higher it is.
E
Epikutaneous patch testing
Skin tolerance test for cosmetic products performed on 50 to 100 persons, similar to dermatological allergy test. The test proudt is applied on a patch to the back of the test persons and left there for 24 h. The effect on the skin is read immediately after removal of the patch as well as 1 and 2 days later. The appearence of redness, flaking, blistering, papules or pustules is recorded as a sign of irritation potential of the test product. The test gives no indication for the sensitizing or allergenic potential of a test product. The repetitive patch test is even more sensitive. Here, the patches with the test product is repeated at certain intervals for several times. Thus, it also allows conclusions on the sensitizing potential of the test product.  In the Duhring-xhamber test (soap chamber test) dilutes test products are applied to the skin in a similar way as described above for 24 h. Irritation reactions can also be measured by bioengineering methods, e.g. TEWL, Chromametry or Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry.
Evaporimeter
The device measures the evaporation of water from the skin surface and thus the skin’s barrier function against water loss. This gives an indication for the risk of skin dryness, the water binding capacity and, indirectly, also for the ease with which substances from the environemnt can penetrate into the skin.
H
Histology
Section of skin tissue taken during surgery or biopsies is investigated. Very thin slices are cut and often stained with dyes to make fine structures visible under the microscope.
I
In use test
The product is tested under normal regular use conditions for a certain period of time by a group of test persons. These can be people with normal, healthy sin or panels with defined skin problems or skin diseases. The users may apply and evaluate the products on their own, or the study can be supervised by physicians, mainly dermatologists, who also evaluate the effects of the product on the skin. Alternatively, the study can be perfomed at an dermatological clinic or a skin test institute. Usaully, the toleracne and cosmetic effects of the products are evaluated. subjecitve evaluations by the test persons can be combined by clinical assessment of the dermatologists. Pertly, bioengineering methods are integrated in the test design to contribute objective parameters.
Infrared spektroscopy
Method to measure skin hydration by reflection of infrered light in the upper skin layers. Sin tissue with a high water content reflects more infrared light than dry areas.
M
Magnet resonance tomography
Technically advanced and costly method to detect water within the skin. Oscillation within molecules in the skin is induced by magnetic fields and thereby produce an electromagnetic field. The fading of the oscillation after switching off the magnetic field is measured. Water slows down this fading process. Via computer the time course of the fading process can be analyzed and correlated to a certain water content.
P
pH-Meter
Measurement device for the skin suface pH. The normal value is 5.5 on average. Skin care products can alter the skin surface pH. Soaps, for instance, are alkaline and increase the skin pH to neutral level, resulting in an increased risk for the development of an impaired barrier function and a decrease in anti-microbial defense.
Profilometry
Another method to monitor the skin surface profile. Silicon replicase of the skin surface are taken. There surface is a negative reproduction of the skin. By mechanical or optical (laser) scanning of the replica surface the roughness parameters from material sciences can be determined.
S
Sebumeter
Measures the skin surface lipids. A semi-transparent tape is pressed onto the skin surface, absorbing the lipids present there. The lipids increase the transparency of the tape. A photometer (combination of a light source which sends light through the tape to a mirror who reflects it back through the tape again to be detected by a device which measures the light intensity), quantifies the increase in light trandmission through the tape after lipid absorption as compared to before. This allows a quantification of the amount of skin surface lipids: The more lipids the higher the transparency.
Skin surfametry
Method for recording the skin surface profile. Under standardised conditions with light coming from one side the skin surface is digitally photographed. The data are computerized to analyse the surface profile according to methods adapted from the material sciences, especially parameter for surface roughness like the average depth of roughness. Thus it is possible to quantify the increase in skin roughness as a result of dehydration as well as number, depth and abundance of wrinkles and the effect of anti-ageing products.
Sniffing-Test
Test of the efficacy of deodorants. Trained people assess the intensity of body odour developing in the armpits of 10 to 30 persons after cleansing over the course of 24 h. In one armpit, no deodorant is used, in the other, the test deodorant is applied. The intensity of body odour is scored from 0 = non to 5 = very intensive is determined every 6 h und normal acitivties of the test persons without intermittent washing. The difference of the average score between the two sides is the basis for the evaluation of efficacy. If there is a significant difference between the treated and untreated side after 24 h, the efficacy is proven. This, however, doesn’t guarantee that no body odour develops at all when a deodorant is used, but confirms only a reduction of the intensity of the malodour.
U
Ultrasound sonografy
Method to measure the skin thickness. Ultrasound echos from the skin are detected. The mode of reflection is indicative for different densitiy and composition of the skin layers. Higher frequencies of ultrasound allow a higher resolution of skin structures but reduce the depth of the measurements.
V
Visiometry
Further method to measure the skin surface profile. Digital photographs of the skin surface are mathematically analysed and translated into surface parameters adapted from the material sciences.