Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for determining efficacy of topical compositions on various skin color types. These methods involve providing an artificial skin apparatus configured to approximate the color and diffuse reflectance characteristics of a predetermined human skin color type. The artificial skin apparatus includes an artificial skin substrate combined with a color background, with the color background correlating to the human skin color type. A topical composition of interest is applied to the artificial skin substrate of the artificial skin apparatus and then pre-irradiated. The pre-irradiated topical composition is then analyzed using relevant experimental techniques or assays for at least one efficacy parameter, including, for example, anti-ageing, photoprotective, sun protective, UVA/UVB protective, UVAI protective, photo stabilizing, and photosensitizing activities and action mechanisms of the topical composition on various skin color types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioactive fractions isolated from stress-induced photosynthetic organisms. The present invention also relates to methods of producing stress-induced photosynthetic organisms suitable for isolating altered bioactive fractions. The present invention further relates to bioactive compositions, bioactive topical formulations, and methods of their use.