Sponsored Content by ESSLABReviewed by Olivia FrostAug 22 2025
Synthetic sweat is giving scientists new ways to study how PFAS, so-called ‘forever chemicals’, are absorbed through the skin, an often overlooked pathway.
Pickering Laboratories has developed formulations that replicate how products interact with the skin’s surface liquid film (SSLF), or sweat.
Recent research into pollutants such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and PBDEs suggests that skin contact may be a significant source of exposure.
While direct research on PFAS is still in its early stages, techniques such as artificial sweat are helping us learn more about how these persistent chemicals interact with the human body.
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How skin absorption plays a role
Studies on PBDEs and BFRs highlight the importance of dermal absorption:
From dust to skin: A study employing artificial skin models found that 3 % of PBDEs can be absorbed by dermal exposure, making it the second biggest contributor to total body burden after dust consumption.
From fabrics: Studies suggest skin contact with BFR-treated materials like couches may result in greater chemical uptake than dust. This research used artificial sweat to simulate genuine exposure scenarios.
Pickering Laboratories: Setting the gold standard
Pickering Laboratories produces synthetic biological fluids, including sweat, saliva, and urine, used in research on how chemicals are absorbed through the skin.
Its complex formulations are designed to accurately imitate human biologicals, resulting in consistent and dependable in vitro dissolution testing.
These formulations are especially useful for determining the dissolution of compounds in a variety of materials, such as wearable technology (electronics), jewelry, fabrics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals that come into contact with human skin.
These formulations are critical for developing accurate in vitro models that mimic in vivo skin conditions.
Pickering's artificial sweat formulations address the issues identified in research in which the content and pH of sweat and sebum in artificial systems did not always correspond to human skin surface liquid films (SSLF).
Pickering Laboratories uses an extensively developed SSLF model to produce a more accurate portrayal of human sweat and sebum. This ensures that testing conditions such as pH, temperature, and chemical concentration reflect real biological conditions.
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In addition, while employing Pickering's formulas, researchers can consider elements that influence test results, such as SSLF temperature, agitation, and the material qualities of both the test products and containers.
This improves the accuracy of tests, making it easier to predict how chemicals interact with skin. The outcome is improved risk assessment and subsequent preventive measures for exposed individuals.
Key features of Pickering’s artificial sweat formulations include:
- Precision composition: The formulations are precisely composed with water, salts, urea, and fatty acids to mimic the chemical milieu of sweat. Fatty acids play an important function in promoting interactions with lipophilic compounds like PFAS.
- Consistency across studies: Artificial fluids offer a consistent testing medium, unlike biological samples, which vary between people and environments. This ensures repeatability across studies.
- Application versatility: Pickering's artificial biologicals have a wide range of applications, including PFAS research, personal care items, textiles, and medical equipment, providing valuable insights into human exposure across multiple contexts.
Why artificial sweat matters for PFAS research
PFAS, valued for their water and oil-repelling qualities, are widely employed in consumer and industrial products. Researchers can use artificial sweat to simulate real-world settings and explore how these substances behave when they come into contact with the skin. This approach is especially beneficial for:
- Understanding exposure pathways: Artificial sweat can reveal how much PFAS is absorbed from treated clothing, household dust, and personal care products.
- Simulating human conditions: Sweat composition fluctuates based on activity and environment. Pickering's sophisticated formulations mirror these intricacies, providing crucial insights into factors influencing absorption.
- Evaluating product safety: Testing PFAS-treated materials under controlled settings allows scientists to assess their safety and recommend safer options for product development.
A consistent response to a complex challenge
The development of artificial biological fluids that provide realistic, reproducible, and biologically relevant conditions is helping researchers understand the complexity of PFAS exposure.
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As public concern about these pollutants grows, advances in artificial sweat are helping scientists better understand the risks and explore safer alternatives.
As a supplier of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) from the world's leading Reference Material Producers (RMPs) and a Pickering Laboratories Distribution Partner, ESSLAB works closely with researchers and manufacturers to provide comprehensive materials testing solutions.
For additional information, please contact ESSLAB by live chat, email, or phone.
References
ESSLAB. (2020). PFAS Analysis. [online] Available at: https://esslabshop.com/pages/pfas-analysis [Accessed 14 Aug. 2025].
ESSLAB. (2025). EPA Method 1600. [online] Available at: https://esslabshop.com/pages/epa-method-1600 [Accessed 14 Aug. 2025].
ESSLAB. (2025). PFAS Reference Materials | ESSLAB. [online] Available at: https://esslabshop.com/collections/pfas-crms [Accessed 14 Aug. 2025].
ESSLAB. (2023). Artificial Body Fluids for Product Testing. [online] Available at: https://esslabshop.com/collections/product-testing-solutions [Accessed 14 Aug. 2025].
About ESSLAB
ESSLAB (Essex Scientific Laboratory Supplies Limited) is a leading global supplier of analytical consumables for chemical analysis. Founded in 1982, ESSLAB has built a strong reputation in the fields of chromatography, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Known for their expertise in precision liquid handling, ESSLAB offers a wide range of high-quality products that go beyond just laboratory instruments.
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Why choose ESSLAB?
ESSLAB is the preferred choice for laboratories and scientific organizations for several reasons:
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