Cell-based aging processes are one of Beiersdorf’s research focuses. A team of scientists from industry and universities plans to investigate them in more detail in a new research network called “AgeScreen,” which is being supported by Germany‘s Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Beiersdorf is coordinating this project, which forms part of the fourth phase of the biophotonics research focus and which includes biophysicists, biologists, chemists, and engineers, among others.
The goal is to develop a new optical technique permitting more rapid, systematic, and automatic testing of living cells. A non-invasive optical stretcher measures the cells’ elasticity by using two counter-propagating laser beams to deform individual living cells. This allows their viscoelastic properties to be calculated with a high degree of accuracy. The system is designed to be used in clinical diagnostics and in the search for pharmaceutical active ingredients, as well as to develop anti-aging products more effectively.
Beiersdorf does not use animals to test cosmetic products. This has been our policy since long before the directives regulating animal testing in cosmetics went into effect in the European Union in 2004. We are convinced that using animals to test cosmetic products in order to prove that they are safe and effective is not necessary.
Beiersdorf has been working successfully for more than 20 years in the scientific community and within associations on in-vitro alternatives to animal testing. We are one of the well- known leading and accepted research companies around the world. We are actively advocating for the worldwide acceptance of existing animal test-free alternative methods by respective authorities. Further, we support both in terms of personnel and financially the scientific efforts to fill the gaps where alternative methods are not yet available.
Beiersdorf already uses a lot of alternative methods daily in the company and will continue to be involved in the development of alternative test methods.
