Are Cosmetic Safety Apps Telling the Whole Story?

The growing popularity of apps performing product safety analysis reflects that product safety is becoming a primary concern amongst consumers. Still, more to the point, there is a lack of trust that companies are doing the right thing when it comes to protecting consumer health. We understand that not all skincare products are created equally and absolutely agree that consumers need protection. However, these apps do not represent information on ingredients in an accurate way.

So how can you respond when a client protests that a product has risks when checked within an app?

As a clinician, avoid getting stuck in a situation where you are “debunking” individual “dirty or unsafe” ingredient alerts presented by the apps, and you could easily get stuck in a conversation that gets you nowhere. Do not dismiss a client's concerns. If they are engaging with these apps, the client has an elevated interest or fear, so acknowledge that from the way the information is presented that you understand their concern.

Reassure the client that our products undergo an extremely rigorous analysis process that ensures all products we supply are safe. The key here is the term “safe levels” - so where the apps cite ingredients as high risk, much of this data comes from high exposure or concentrated doses and is not relevant to verified safe concentrations in cosmetic products. Much of the “scientific” data used for these apps is flawed or inaccurate, or not applied in the correct way, causing unnecessary fear in consumers’ minds.

Our Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Charith Thotagamuwage outlines the critical steps our Regulatory Team takes and how they review all products and ingredients for our home brand Aspect Skincare and our international brands. At Advanced Skin Technology (AST), we follow a rigorous and comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance of our cosmetic products. Our foremost priority is the well-being of our consumers, and this commitment is reflected in our meticulous evaluation processes for all ingredients used in our products.

Our ingredient safety and efficacy approach involves multiple checkpoints throughout the product development lifecycle. Each checkpoint is designed to adhere strictly to the regulatory standards set by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS), Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA).

1. Ingredient Selection & Validation:
   

   We start by carefully selecting ingredients that are either well-established in the industry or emerging with robust scientific backing. Each ingredient undergoes a thorough validation process to ensure it meets the safety standards outlined by regulatory authorities in Australia and New Zealand.

2. Hazard Analysis:

   Before any product is approved for use, we conduct comprehensive hazard analysis on all Aspect brands. This includes evaluating the theoretical potential for skin irritation, sensitisation, and other adverse effects. These assessments are guided by internationally recognized methodologies to ensure that our products are safe for all consumers.

3. Regulatory Compliance Review:

   Our regulatory team exhaustively reviews each ingredient against the current regulations and guidelines provided by the AICIS, TGA, and NZ EPA. Furthermore, we evaluate our ingredients against world-recognised ingredient databases such as “CosIng” (European Union) and “Personal Care Products Council” (USA) for any restrictions of use. This ensures that all ingredients are safe and legally permissible in the regions where our products are sold.

4. Formulation Compatibility Testing:

   Beyond individual ingredient safety, we conduct extensive testing on the finished product formulation to assess the compatibility of ingredients and the stability of the product as a whole. This step is crucial to ensure that the combined effects of ingredients do not lead to unintended reactions, and that the product remains stable and effective throughout its shelf life.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Reassessment:

   Regulatory landscapes and scientific understanding are continually evolving. To stay ahead, we engage in ongoing monitoring and reassessment of our ingredients and formulations. This proactive approach allows us to adapt quickly to new regulations or emerging safety data, ensuring continuous compliance and consumer safety.

Through these multiple checkpoints, AST ensures that every product we manufacture and distribute is effective, safe, and fully compliant with all relevant regulations. Our commitment to these high standards reflects our dedication to providing consumers with products they can trust. We are unwavering in our mission to protect and enhance the well-being of our customers while upholding the integrity of our brands.

In closing, while product safety analysis apps reflect heightened awareness around product safety, they often present a skewed view of ingredients, lacking context and accuracy. As professionals, guiding clients through these concerns with evidence-based insights is essential, emphasising the thorough safety evaluations and regulatory compliance our products undergo. By highlighting the science behind safe concentrations and our commitment to rigorous testing, we can help clients navigate their fears and make confident, informed decisions.

At Advanced Skin Technology, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards in safety and efficacy, ensuring that every product we offer meets both regulatory compliance and consumer confidence.

Written by AST’s Product Innovation Lead Selina Mithen, & Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Charith Thotagamuwage.