Clinical trials: Acnegenic skin testing

There has recently been increased public interest in the acnegenic (comedogenic) responses to cosmetic products. Both terms refer to the likelihood of a cosmetic product to cause comedones (pimples) and acne (when the pimples become infected). To this end, Future Cosmetics was commissioned to conduct a study to determine the acnegenicity potential of Bio-Oil.

Methodology
21 subjects between the ages of 19 and 60 were recruited – around half of them prone to acne. The negative control was untreated skin and the positive control was acetylated lanolin alcohol. In other words, three areas were evaluated – an untreated area, an area where Bio-Oil was applied, and an area where acetylated lanolin alcohol was applied.

The subjects were supplied with and trained to apply the test products twice daily for a period of 28 days. They then returned to the testing facility for evaluation. The test results showed that the positive control – acetylated lanolin alcohol – can induce acne after 28 days of product application.

The results from the area treated with Bio-Oil showed no significant difference to the untreated area.