Isabelle Hochar

Dr. Isabelle Hochar


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 May 2025 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IHIsabelle Hochar
Isabelle Hochar
MPMickaël Puginier
Mickaël Puginier
HGHervé Groux
Hervé Groux
JGJérôme Guilbot
Jérôme Guilbot
FCFrançoise Cottrez
Françoise Cottrez
ARAlicia Roso
Alicia Roso
Assessing the propensity of ingredients to induce skin sensitization through in vitro testing is crucial for worker and consumer safety. This is particularly important for novel and high-performance ingredients with complex structures, such as rheology-modifying polymers, which are extensively used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and detergents. The Sens-Is assay has proven effective in distinguishing skin sensitizers from non-sensitizers for difficult-to-test ingredients when integrated into a multi-method in vitro approach. Therefore, the primary goal of this research was to explore whether the Sens-Is in vitro assay is suitable to evaluate rheology-modifying polymers. Fifteen structurally diverse rheology-modifying polymers, including natural polymers obtained by extraction, chemical synthesis, or biotechnology, spanning varying physical forms and concentrations, were evaluated. The results showed that most polymers were non-sensitizing, consistent with available in vivo data. Although polymer macromolecules generally exhibit limited skin sensitization potential due to their surface confinement, the Sens-Is assay permitted the detection of weak signals from secondary components or possible byproducts in specific cases. This work confirms Sens-Is as a useful tool in an overall approach to assessing the skin sensitization liability of polymers under development, but careful solvent selection is crucial to ensure accurate results and prevent potential overexposure due to polymer retention on the epidermal surface.