Abstract
The various procedures for assessing the comedogenicity of cosmetics, toiletries, and drugs using the rabbit ear model have produced conflicting results. The relevance and value of the rabbit ear model have been seriously questioned.
This paper describes a method based on histopathologic evaluation of the ear skin of male rabbits, treated once daily for 3 weeks. Identifying substances capable of creating follicular horny impactions (comedones) is not the only goal of the test. It is equally important to be able to detect irritating formulations that can provoke an inflammatory folliculitis. These can cause papulopustular, acneform eruptions in humans.