3D Fabric
Natura is a company committed to the preservation of nature, encompassing both fauna and flora. Our commitment is total in rejecting animal testing for the evaluation of the efficiency and safety of our products. Since 2006, we have completely abolished the use of animals in our tests, opting to invest significantly in resources and technology to develop alternative methods that meet the necessary quality and safety standards for testing cosmetic products.
Our efforts have included substantial investments in laboratory infrastructure, acquisition of cutting-edge equipment, and hiring specialized scientists in the field. We have adopted modern testing methods, such as the use of 3D tissues as a replacement for animal testing. This transition has involved sophisticated examinations, such as the use of human cells and tissues (known as "in vitro"), advanced computational modeling (referred to as "in silico" models), and studies conducted with human volunteers.
It is worth noting that Brazil's Normative Resolution (No. 58), which addresses Alternative Methods, was published only in 2023. Although it recommends the replacement of animals in testing, the legislation still allows their use in specific situations. However, Natura completely eliminated animal methods in 2006, even before the European legislation (EU Ban on Animal Testing law, 2009), being a pioneer in this movement and primarily supported by initiatives from European society. Since 1998, the company has actively invested in alternative methods that replace the use of animals, reaffirming our commitment to ethics and respect for life.
Human-on-a-chip
The recent methodology, resulting from the collaboration between Natura and the National Laboratory of Biosciences (LnBio) of the National Center for Energy and Materials Research (CNPEM), represents a significant innovation in the search for alternatives to animal testing. Introducing the revolutionary technique Human-on-a-chip, which uses a 3D printer to simulate the functioning of the human body, this advancement marks an unprecedented approach in the evaluation of cosmetic ingredients.
The crucial differential of this technique lies in the integration of biological structures that reproduce human organs. The system is activated by a controlled flow of liquids and solutions, emulating blood circulation. This unique approach allows researchers and scientists to evaluate the effects of a cosmetic ingredient both inside the body (organs) and outside (skin) simultaneously.
This methodology provides specific and in-depth analyses, especially for complex and innovative ingredients. Natura's General Director of Research and Development, Roseli Mello, emphasizes that testing on 3D organs and skin simplifies the product innovation process. This technique offers the ability to conduct specific and in-depth analyses on natural ingredients, often unprecedented and complex.
Roseli explains: "We have a tradition of seeking possible new ingredients in Brazilian biodiversity to create innovative products. However, the absence of data and tests on a raw material can result in a reduction of the allowed concentration or even a ban on its use in certain products."
Kelen Fabiola Arroteia, manager of the Preclinical Evaluation Center at Natura and one of the professionals involved in the development of the Human-on-a-chip, reinforces Roseli's statement. According to her, the technology has already shown surprising results. "We were able to evaluate a new raw material under development at the company, and the result of the assay allowed its release in products at a concentration three times higher than would be possible without this new method," she reports.
