ABSTRACT
The evaluation of the potential irritant effects on skin is an important part of the overall safety assessment for many consumer products. Such an evaluation usually includes some form of in-use clinical or simulated use testing, with thirdparty evaluation of the skin condition by a trained grader. The nature of the in-use testing that is conducted is often dictated by the product being tested. For example, laundry products are traditionally tested in protocols requiring immersion in solutions of the product, or wear tests of laundered fabrics [1,2]. Personal cleansing products and baby wipes are tested using forearm wash or wipe tests [3-6]. Catamenial (feminine protection) products are typically tested in in-use clinical studies in which volunteer panelists use the product in place of their normal product [7].
