To guarantee the safety of the formulas, we have implemented a very demanding process, including more than 450 measurements and tests. The product undergoes a real obstacle course: no product is marketed without having successfully completed all these stages.
To ensure that the product stores properly, we evaluate its antimicrobial protection . To do this, it passes the challenge test, which consists of checking how the product defends itself against attack by microbes: microbes are added to the product and we check the regression of this contamination over time.
We check that the product remains stable over time , that is to say that its color, smell or appearance do not change.
The product is placed in extreme thermal conditions using climatic chambers. In some, at 40 or 50°, it undergoes accelerated aging. In others, which regularly oscillate between -10° and 40°, it faces drastic temperature variations. These tests ensure that when our product travels around the world it remains of good quality.
• In vitro tests
A world exclusive, our researchers have designed a model of reconstituted baby skin, patented under the name Stelaskin®. Stelaskin® allows us to validate the safety of our products from birth. It makes it possible to mimic different types of infant and child skin and to reproduce certain skin aggressions to better evaluate the effectiveness and good tolerance of our products.
• In vivo tests
We also evaluate the good tolerance of the product (absence of irritation reaction) and the absence of sensitization reaction on 100 adult subjects.
Once the safety of the product is ensured, we measure its safety and effectiveness in real conditions of use, on a panel of babies, children, including infants less than one month old, or pregnant women, depending on the product. This procedure takes place under the control of dermatologists and/or pediatricians.
The final step is that all the results are submitted to an independent expert toxicologist, outside our laboratories, who must confirm that our products are safe. A safety report is then drawn up and made available to the competent authorities at any time in the event of an inspection – without this document the product cannot be placed on the market.