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As part of the search for alternative methods, L’Oréal has developed
original in vitro techniques, particularly in the area of
human skin models. Among the different models developed,
the group’s research teams are credited with the world’s first
skin model containing Langerhans cells, which play a crucial
role in allergic response.
L’Oréal conducted this research as the lead laboratory within a
European Commission programme. In the future, if this model
were reproduced on an industrial scale, it could be put forward
as an alternative to skin allergy testing, alongside other cellbased
tests.
Looking beyond the progress already made, industry and scientific
research as a whole face a complex challenge: that of
developing and validating alternative methods of evaluating
chemical ingredients in fields where there are currently
no alternatives to animal testing – and within the timeframe
set by the seventh amendment to the European Cosmetics
Directive.
L’Oréal is committed to bringing all its skills to bear on developing
these new methods.