The Immune Balance Rating™ (IBR) system is an exciting new in vitrotesting protocol for sunscreens and other topical products based upon cellular responses from skin and immune cells. The system compares products to a reference standard and measures five cellular outputs. Each output gives a relative rating and the product is then scored based on the average across all areas. This allows standardised grading of products and more substantive claims and targeted marketing.
The testing protocols involve cell culture of human skin keratinocytes and monocytes. Cells were tested for viability, cytokine and reactive oxygen production after co-exposure with product and UV light. All exposures were 24 hours over a range of concentrations.
We have tested six commercial SPF 50+ sunscreen formulations, each of identical base components, but varying in active component concentrations and preservatives. The standard formulations contained 27% active ingredients, whereas the low active formations contained 15% total actives. The preservatives tested were capyrlyl glycol, MIT or parabens.
Based on the aggregate IBR scores, all 3 low active formulations rated higher than the standard formulations. Preservative type had a small effect, most noticeable in the low active formulations.
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