It's rare, very rare, that we toast with alcohol in the office. It doesn't fit with our office culture, especially not with the admonitions we've written about skin health in what have now been 18 articles (yes, we double-counted). We preach water and yet drink (sparkling) wine? This exception had to be made last week. Because: 48grams received eight "VERY GOOD" ratings from the Münster-based dermatest institute. A huge success – especially since we only recently... eight products have launched this product on the market. This wonderful news gave us the following idea: We should simply tell you, dear readers, how this top certification came about. The process is fascinating, and the outcome is proof of genuine quality.
Efficacy and tolerability
That we, the members of the blog editorial team, believe in the effectiveness of our products should be beyond doubt after publishing three dozen blog posts. Long before the official launch, we thoroughly (and successfully) tested the masks, eye pads, creams, and serum on our own faces. And that was months after the laboratory tests for efficacy and tolerability. But even more importantly: you, our customers, consistently give us top marks, and a large number of you have become regular customers. What a success! Nevertheless, in February we decided to submit our products for independent testing. Germany needs seals of approval and certifications – and new customers receive credible confirmation of just how good the developments by skincare guru Bernd Kuhs really are.
Independent study by the leading testing institute
For the test, we chose a "hard door," as we say here in Berlin. The principle is this: if the person at the door doesn't have a good feeling, then there's no party. In other words: we chose the dermatest institute to be beyond any doubt. We wanted official confirmation of Bernd Kuhs' statement: "Our products are optimally tolerated." dermatest is known for making no compromises. For over 40 years, they've spoken only one language: that of science.
Transparency builds trust
Why is this so important? In the cosmetics industry, manufacturers adorn themselves with countless seals of approval: "medically examined," "proven in clinics," "dermatologist-tested," "evaluated by independent laboratories." But many companies fail to provide proof, test results, or even name the institute. Perhaps the mentioned dermatologist is actually an employee of the manufacturer. Transparency: nonexistent. Curiously, EU regulations are of little help here. There are no precise guidelines, neither for the procedure nor the duration. In fact, it would suffice for a dermatologist and a few test subjects to collaborate.
Publish results, name institutes
Anyone who thinks we're trying to paint our competitors in a bad light is mistaken. As with every blog post, we want to offer tips and encourage reflection. In this case, to take a closer look. Reputable cosmetics companies not only display seals of approval but also publish the individual test results and name the responsible testing institute. This gives us all the assurance that the products are truly safe. Furthermore, the seal is also a source of information. Customers can see how old a formula is.Because after every change to a so-called formulation, a new study must be conducted, and the seal receives the current date. That's true transparency.
30 participants, various skin types
We've kept you in suspense for a bit. Sorry. It was important to us that you understand why tests and evidence are so crucial. Now, finally, to the practical part. Here's how it works at dermatest: First, the responsible scientists receive a detailed list of the ingredients used. Everything that makes up 48grams, the secret formulas, must be disclosed. Then, a group of 30 test subjects is selected. Statistically, 18 people would suffice. But dermatest wants absolute certainty. In our case, 23 women and 7 men volunteered – ranging in age from 23 to 70. The cross-section of different skin types is also important: dry, oily, normal, and combination skin. All participants received the so-called test material – undiluted, this is important – applied to their skin for 24 hours. Afterward, the area was sealed with a foil patch. This is called an epicutaneous test.
Fast skin absorption, long-lasting results
The dermatest report states: “The special patch specifically ensures an occlusive testing environment, which facilitates the penetration of the potential topical irritant of the test substance through the stratum corneum to the effector cells. These may trigger an immunological reaction mechanism, which usually leads to local reddening of the skin.” In other words: In an airtight environment, the ingredients of creams, serums, and masks penetrate the skin more quickly – if a substance that can cause irritation is present, this reaction will occur even faster. As mentioned, the patch was removed after 24 hours, and the skin's reaction was checked after another hour. After 48 and 72 hours, the medical professionals again examined the subjects' tissue.
No intolerances, no allergies
All 8 products currently available in our shop are available, were included in this study. And now we can proudly present the "very good" seal for all our products. Because the creams, masks, and serum have now been "dermatologically tested." At no point were there any adverse reactions or even allergic symptoms. We think that's a good reason to raise a glass!
