This artificial skin faithfully reproduces the three-dimensional structure and biomechanical properties of real epidermis.

This is due to a clever mix of human cells and specially formulated hydrogel – a jelly-like material composed mainly of water and polymers forming a kind of “net” capable of retaining the liquid and promoting the proliferation of other cells.

At this stage, the first 3D-printed skin samples are ready for nanoparticle testing. If they are successful, this breakthrough could help reduce or even eliminate the need for animal testing in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

This is the main objective of this innovation: to provide an ethical and reliable alternative to animal testing. Animal testing is used in particular to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles present in products such as sunscreens.

While cosmetic testing on animals is now banned in many countries, including in the European Union, Canada, Australia and Brazil, the testing of pharmaceutical products is still permitted, although it is often regulated.

In the European Union, these tests are intended to assess the toxicity of the drug, its safety of use and its potential effectiveness. These trials precede the clinical trial phases on humans.

It is strongly advised to use alternative methods when they exist, to minimise the number of animals used, and to improve procedures in order to limit the suffering of animals.