Korea Institute of Dermatological Sciences, the only GLP certified cosmetic clinical institutes in Korea by KIDS

The Korea Institute of Dermatological Sciences has been conducting safety and efficacy evaluations, in-vitro evaluations, and alternatives to animal experiments for all beauty-related products, including all areas of cosmetics, raw materials, and skin devices, since its establishment in 2012.

We are the largest testing institute in Korea, with a total of three centers, having established two centers in the east and west of Seoul and the opening of the Wonju center this year. In 2022, we were designated as a cosmetic ingredients inspection institution by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea, conducting safety management inspections in chemical and microbiological fields, as well as functional cosmetics inspections for products supplied in Korea.

Following that, we are designated as a GLP Compliance Test Facility in the alternative to animal testing area by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea. We are the only GLP certification facility for cosmetic clinical institutes in Korea with global recognition, and we also hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

We have a pool of over 8,000 subjects, allowing us to perform a wide range of tests swiftly and efficiently along with a dermatologist who were the former university hospital president director and CEO is always available to provide expert opinion on tests. We also collaborate with local hospitals to conduct dermatologist visual evaluation of various tests.

The annual introduction of cutting-edge devices and the creation of new clinical test procedures by the master’s and PhD researchers are the most significant advantages of the KIDS. This enabling our cosmetics clients to market their products efficiently.

Types of clinical evaluations that KIDS is conducting are following below:

Efficacy tests include various safety evaluations and SPF/PA tests for sunscreens, as well as a variety of tests for skincare products, hair and scalp products, cleansers, beauty devices, body products, and various make-up products. We have also created a test method that can generate 3D images of product absorption by modifying the Raman device, which has garnered significant popularity in Korea.

*Skin absorption 3D image

We conduct primary sensitization tests, sensitization tests on sensitive skin, and human repeated insult patch test (HRIPT) to evaluate the safety of products, and we also handle business for the German dermatological tests.

In skincare products, the main categories are following: moisturizing, flaky skin, wrinkle, elasticity, lifting, skin texture, pores, skin tone, melasma, gloss, barrier, soothing effect by external irritation and suitability for use of acne-prone skin.

* Wrinkle image

* Melasma image

In the Hair & Scalp Care category, we are working on a variety of tests such as scalp cleansing, scalp elasticity, flaky scalp, scalp soothing, scalp moisturizing, scalp aging, hair tensile strength, hair cuticle (roughness), and hair volume.

* Hair cuticle image

In the cleanser category, there is a significant need to evaluate the efficacy of cleansing impurities from skin pores, fine dust removal, keratin removal, and oil removal effect. In the body moisturizer category, we are handling many tests such as temporary cellulite reduction, swelling reduction, cooling effect, skin texture, moisturization, and temporary itching relief due to dryness.

* Cleansing impurities from skin pores image

In the make-up category, we are working on testing such as eyelash curling effect and lash length improvement for mascara, and make-up lasting and blemish covering for foundation.

In addition, we have the largest UV lab in Korea with more than 19 UV irradiators (Solar Simulators) for measuring the factor of a sunscreen. We conduct all kinds of tests on sunscreen products, including SPF/PA and water resistance tests, and we also have established test methodologies for each country, including ISO and FDA, to ensure that we are recognized in a variety of countries.

By proceeding those above tests, you can also receive the following researcher certification marks, which can be used for marketing purposes.

*Example of certification marks

For the alternative to animal testing, there’s the skin irritation test guided by OECD TG439, and the eye irritation test guided by OECD TG492. Both of them are testing methods that utilize 3D models, and are conducted in compliance with the international level of OECD.

Others than these, for the in vitro tests, we conduct tests such as WST-1, collagen production test, elastin production test, inhibition of intracellular melanin production, anti-oxidative evaluation, production of hydration factor, anti-inflammatory and hair growth factor production test.

We offer comprehensive consultation on human clinical tests for cosmetics exported to Korea from overseas and can issue English reports for international use. Please reach out to our institute if you require in vitro (cellular level tests), alternative to animal testing area, or human clinical tests for cosmetics and raw materials.

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CONTACT

Seungbin Kwon / +82 2 1566 8668 / kwonsb@skinresearch.or.kr

Donghee Lee / +82 2 6957 8057 / dongheelee@skinresearch.or.kr

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