The Directive prompted the need for innovative, ethical alternatives in product safety testing, driving an intense search for new ways to assess the absorption and toxicity of nanoparticles found in cosmetics like sun creams.
To address the issue, the researchers developed a 3D-printed skin model that closely replicates the native three-layer tissue structure and function of human skin, using hydrogel formulations printed together with living cells to enable accurate and ethical testing of cosmetic nanoparticles.
Hydrogels as a medium
With the first skin models now ready for nanoparticle testing, researchers are set to evaluate how cosmetic ingredients – particularly those commonly found in sunscreens – interact with human-like tissue, marking a potential turning point in safety testing standards for the global beauty industry.