The Approach of SSCI-Net to Minimize Cosmetic-Induced Skin Disorders

Abstract

General Incorporated Association SSCI-Net was established in 2016 with the mission of minimizing damage to skin health through early detection and collaboration among industry, government, and academia. SSCI-Net is the name of a Skin Safety Case Information Network, and its important role is to receive information on skin disorder cases from contact dermatitis specialists nationwide for its database. The SSCI-Net consists of a system in which manufacturing and marketing companies that agree with the SSCI-Net philosophy are invited to become supporting members, and their membership fees support the financial aspects of the organization. Supporting member companies can receive information on their own cases, and thus use the site as a tool for collecting post-marketing information. For cosmetics companies, this is the first system in Japan that allows them to collect information on post-marketing skin disorders caused by cosmetics directly from dermatologists. Every year, 400–500 products are registered in the database as suspect products, and approximately 60% of the registered products are cosmetics. In order to minimize skin damage, it is also very important to examine the causative ingredients of the suspect products, and therefore, we are focusing on supporting clinical research by dermatologists. By promoting patch testing by ingredients, the sensitization status of chemicals in the market can be ascertained. By sharing such information on ingredients with partner companies, we hope to contribute to the development of safe cosmetics in Japan.