Implementing Product Safety Confirmation at Every Stage

Product development stage: 1. Careful selection of safe ingredients

Kao Group carefully selects not just safe but also environmentally friendly ingredients for our products.

We have built a comprehensive and most updated safety database on ingredients and raw materials. It covers broad range of materials used not just in cosmetics, but also in chemical products, household care products and foods, which further enhances its reliability in safety confirmation.

Our safety evaluation tests are carried out by following highly reliable, global standard procedures. To ensure safety, we perform safety tests at maximum allowable concentration. In addition, we assess environmental impacts in this process.

We only use ingredients that comply with these strict standards.

Product development stage: 2. Product safety confirmation process

We design necessary tests to assure product safety while referring to our past usage history and safety information. We perform tests using cultivated cells, artificial skin, human patch test, allergy test, stinging test, etc.

Effects on skin

Patch tests

Checks skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Allergy tests

Confirms the absence of skin’s allergic reactions to our products via patch test. Test is conducted three times a week for three weeks followed by two weeks interval and one more round of three weeks test to conclude.

Stinging tests for sensitive skin

To evaluate itching and stinging sensations for people with sensitive skin, we evaluate the skin condition before and after product use under a dermatologist’s supervision.

Non-comedogenic tests

Checks inductivity in the formation of comedones (acne). Changes in microcomedones (clogged pores that cause acne) at the application site are observed in detail and evaluated.

Impacts on eyes

We assess the impact of products (e.g. make-up remover) to eyes based on “STE tests” that utilizes cultivated cells.
This test has been developed by Kao and is approved as an international guideline methodology.

We do not and will not conduct animal testing for the development of cosmetics.

Product development stage: 3. Evaluation based on various in-use tests

We conduct variety of usage tests after ensuring sufficient safety of our products.

Skin type is different by individuals and the way how people use products is also different. The skin condition changes due to environment and/or their physical conditions. Therefore, it is critically important to comprehensively evaluate and assure quality and safety under actual usage conditions.

For this purpose, we conduct in-use product test for large number of people over a long period of time. Also, we design usage tests not just considering single product usage but also for regimen usage conditions.

Integrated confirmation before product release

Upon successful clearance of various tests, we conduct integrated comprehensive final checks before releasing products for sale.

  1. We review labeling, advertising, beauty counseling and other forms of communication from consumer’s point of view to help ensure that products are used safely.
  2. On top of scientific safety data, we take other factors such as consumer awareness and actual usage conditions into account and finally confirm overall product safety.

We commit NOT releasing our products into the market unless otherwise we sufficiently assure their safety.

Safety management after product release: 4. Communication with consumers

We equally and highly value communication with consumers through various channels that are; inquiries on products and usage, feedbacks via beauty counseling at store counters telephone and online consultations, etc.

We recommend our customers trial samples so that they choose best products for their skin. We believe this helps our customers use our products with confidence.

If product did not fit for a customer’s skin upon purchasing, we commit to respond with fullest responsibility and take any necessary action.

Safety management after product release: 5. Maintaining product’s safety - post-product release

Even though product’s safety is well confirmed at the development stage, it might not be suitable for some customers.
Kao Group has established safety management standards called Kao GVP (Good Vigilance Practice).
We purposely collect safety-related information from customers and medical institutions. Our Safety management division confirms the details of each case reported by a doctor or other parties. In the event of discovering a safety concern, we investigate the cause and promptly take the necessary countermeasures. When required by laws or regulations, we use the Post-Market Safety Management System to report the concern to the government agencies at earliest possible timing.
We conduct ongoing safety inspections looking for even higher level of safety.

Diagram of In-market safety management. It consists of three stages: 1. Collecting information: we gather information from customers, retail stores, medical institutions, government authorities, academics, literatures, media, and industry organizations; 2. Detailed check and analysis: we interview physicians and analyze information; 3. Countermeasures and reporting: we take countermeasures and report to the government authorities.

Cautions for cosmetic products

  • Do not use a product on sensitive or problem areas of your skin, such as open wounds, rashes or swelling.
  • Give your attention whether a product leads to any sort of trouble to your skin during use. Stop using if it did not fit to your skin.
    1. If you experience redness, swelling, itching, irritation, loses of color (e.g. white spots.) or darkening during use
    2. If any of the symptoms above is appeared after exposure to direct sunlight
    We recommend consulting a physician for your symptoms.
    Continuous use may worsen the symptoms.

These cautions may be appeared on the instructions of products for Japanese market.

Safety Standards for Cosmetic Products

Safety Standards for Cosmetic Products

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