From laboratory to real-world exposure: correlating cosmetic patch test results with large-scale consumer safety data from e-commerce platforms.

Background: Limited research exists on revealing the correlation between laboratory safety tests and real-world safety feedback from consumers of cosmetics. Objective: To establish cosmetovigilance by associating patch test results with consumer-reported adverse reaction (CRARs) feedback form e-commerce feedback for cosmetics targeting sensitive skin. Methods: Patch tests were performed on a cohort of sensitive-skin cosmetics, and CRARs were extracted from e-commerce comments. A generalized linear model was utilized to analyze the association between patch test results and CRARs, considering functional claims and application modes. Results: Among the patch test results of 64 cosmetics, 42 exhibited negative reactions, 21 showed doubtful reactions, and one cosmetic demonstrated a weak positive reaction. The model established with a warning threshold of two doubtful reactions proved to be optimal. Patch test results were associated with sensitization-related and pain-related CRARs, but not with acnegenic-related CRARs. Brightening and acne treatment cosmetics exhibited higher acnegenic and pain rates, while leave-on cosmetics had a higher sensitization rate. Conclusion: The data-driven results show that cosmetics with 2 or more doubtful reactions in patch test have a significantly correlation with real-world CRARs, which reminds relevant practitioners to be more cautious about doubtful reactions in patch test.