You've seen it on countless products: "Dermatologically tested." It sounds official. Scientific. Safe. But what does it actually mean?
Here's what you need to know.
What it means (and what it doesn’t)
‘Dermatologically tested’ means a product has undergone testing overseen by a dermatologist to assess its potential to cause skin irritation. That's useful information: it means someone qualified actually looked at it and ran some form of assessment.
But there is a limitation. Specifically, “dermatologically tested” is not regulated or independently verified, so there's no legal standard or requirement for what the testing involves, how long it lasts, or how many people are tested. So, while plenty of brands can make the claim, the testing behind it may vary considerably."
So while dermatologically tested is a helpful data point, it's not enough on its own if you're trying to reduce the risk of allergies or skin reactions. It tells you the product didn't cause obvious problems in one test, but it doesn't guarantee it won't irritate your or your family’s skin. In the tests we hold for the products referenced below, no irritation response was observed from the tested products under the stated study conditions.
In short, dermatologically tested DOES mean:
- A dermatologist evaluated the product
- No obvious irritation was observed
- The brand is demonstrating intentions of transparency by investing in testing before making a claim
Dermatologically tested on its own DOES NOT mean:
- The product is safe for all skin types
- It won't cause irritation with long-term use
- It's hypoallergenic or allergen-free
- It's effective for its claimed purpose
- It's free from harmful ingredients
- It's been tested in the same way as other products and results can be compared
- The testing is verified by an independent third party
- Many Cheeky Panda products undergo dermatological testing, including toilet tissue, tissues and wipes. Depending on the product, this can involve controlled patch-testing studies on volunteers with sensitive skin, where trained professionals monitor for signs of irritation under test conditions.
What the testing actually involves
When brands claim a product is "dermatologically tested," it typically means tests have been conducted in one of two ways:
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Patch testing: A small amount of the product is applied to skin (usually on the back of a forearm) under a patch. After 24-48 hours, a dermatologist checks for visible irritation. If there's no rash or reaction, it passes the test.
What this type of test shows: the product didn't cause an obvious allergic reaction in a small group of people over a limited time period.
Limitations: this test doesn’t provide any feedback on whether the product is safe for long-term use, whether it's safe for all skin types, whether it might sensitise skin over time, or whether it's actually effective for its claimed purpose.
- Usage testing: A slightly larger study where people use the product as intended (on their face, hands, etc.) for a defined period of time. A dermatologist monitors for reactions.
Adjacent claims that can add confusion
"Hypoallergenic"
Hypoallergenic is also an unregulated term. When used, it simply means that the brand claims that the product is less likely to cause allergic reactions. However, there is no legal definition, no testing standard or independent verification in place.
Importantly, it is not a guarantee that it will not cause any allergic reaction, ever. Even when a brand has run suitable tests to prove that their product is less likely to cause allergic reactions, a product can be hypoallergenic and still cause reactions in people with specific sensitivities.
"Dermatologist-recommended"
This is a more vague claim than “dermatologically tested” and has limited scientific basis. It tells you that a dermatologist has recommended the product, but not necessarily how many dermatologists were consulted, what evidence they reviewed or whether the endorsement was paid.
"Clinically proven"
This is more rigorous and objective than "dermatologically tested”. It means a clinical study was conducted, which should be supported by appropriate clinical evidence. As a result, the brand should share information about the size of the pool of testers, the duration of the test, and other indicators of the rigour of the study, as there are no universally applicable regulations or guidelines setting the baseline for clinical studies. As a rule of thumb, more people testing over longer periods of time tends to indicate a stronger study.
"Cruelty-free"
Based on Cruelty Free International (previously Leaping Bunny), "Cruelty-free" means a company must not conduct, commission, or be a party to animal testing of its products, formulations, or ingredients. However, it is worth noting that cruelty-free doesn't mean the product is vegan, organic, or ethically sourced.
Cruelty-free certification is primarily relevant for products where animal testing could happen (typically toiletries, skincare, and cosmetics with active ingredients). Cheeky Panda’s range of wet wipes and balsam tissues are approved by Cruelty Free International. For dry, inert products like toilet paper that have no active ingredients, animal testing wouldn't typically occur anyway, so the certification does not cover those products.
Other things to check if you have allergies or sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or known allergies, "dermatologically tested" is likely a sign that a product is worth considering, but it shouldn't be the only clue you look for.
Additional facts to research:
- What are the actual ingredients? Check if you're allergic to anything that’s listed
- Is it fragrance-free? Fragrance is a common irritant
- Does it contain common sensitizers? Such as sulfates, certain preservatives, essential oils etc.
- Has anyone with your specific condition tested it? This could be results from a formal test, but you might also find a lot of feedback in a product’s review
- Follow advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional
- Follow advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional
Why this matters
When you see "dermatologically tested" on a product, it means: "We had this tested and didn't find obvious problems." That's useful context, but it's not the whole story.
Companies use "dermatologically tested" because it sounds credible without actually requiring them to commit to much in terms of rigorous testing or transparency. That's not necessarily deceptive: many products that claim it genuinely are gentle and well-formulated. But the label itself isn't a guarantee of anything except that someone qualified looked at it once.
The key: dermatologically tested is a data point worth noting, but it shouldn't be your only consideration if you're trying to reduce the risk of skin irritation or allergies.
What else to look for
If you want actual assurance that a product is safe and effective:
Look beyond the claim:
- Read the full ingredient list
- Read real reviews from people (ideally with your skin type or condition) who have used the product
- Check what dermatologists actually say (not just endorsements, but recommendations in dermatology literature)
Questions to ask yourself:
- Is this brand transparent when it comes to ingredients and claims?
- Has an independent third party verified claims?
- What do other people report when they used this product?
- What do dermatologists actually recommend for my specific concern?
- Are there published studies on this formula?
Cheeky Panda products are dermatologically tested, and we publish that data. But we don't stop there. For example, we test our bamboo facial tissues, toilet tissue, and selected wipe products for fluorine (a commonly used indicator of PFAS, i.e. forever chemicals). In all the samples we tested, we didn’t find any above the lab reporting limit. Plus, if you ever have any questions about our products, our friendly Customer Service Pandas are just an email away!
