Malassezia furfur
There are four key microbes found in a healthy and balanced scalp microbiome:
Malassezia globosa
Propionibacterium acnes
Staphylococcus epidermidis
The certification procedure for Standard 39.10 –
Scalp Microbiome
The textile product goes through four test runs as part of the
"Microbiome-friendly" certification:
1. Washing and Sterilization
All textiles are washed in our laboratory according to a standardized procedure and then steam sterilized (autoclaved).
Hygienic products will be sterilized by means of UV light.
2. Balance test
The balance between S. epidermidis (the most common skin bacterium) and the harmful effects of the S. aureus bacterium should not be disturbed by the product. A co-culture with both bacteria is mixed with the product for a certain duration and then the ratio of the two microbes is compared with the untreated control group. Under the influence of the textile product, the balance must not tip in favor of S. aureus.
3. Diversity test
We begin by culturing microbes typical for the scalp microbiome. For Standard 39.10 - Scalp these include M. globosa, M. furfur, C. acnes and S. epidermidis.
The co-cultures are exposed to the product to be tested for a specific duration and the change in diversity is compared with the untreated control group—this is done analogue to the balance test.
The diversity of the key microbes found in the scalp microbiome must be preserved.
4. Vitality test
A Microbiome-friendly textile product should both preserve microbial diversity and pose no detriment to microbial growth. The test uses a model to simulate skin contact. Each key microbe is placed in direct contact with the textile; in a further approach, the microbe is covered with an agar layer and the textile product to be tested is applied to this layer. This simulates the product's potential penetration into deeper layers of the skin. The microbial growth of the two approaches is compared to the untreated control group: there should be no signs that microbial growth is significantly influenced.
"Each of us wears clothes on his body almost 24 hours a day. At work, during sports and even at night. But is that always healthy? Products certified with our textile seal protect the skin microbiome and alleviate the risk of imbalances and resulting skin diseases."
Dr. habil. Lisa Bäumer, Laboratory management
All textile standards at a glance
A selection of our customers / awards
Numerous brands from the cosmetics industry with more than 350 tested products trust our seal:
