Method for evaluating the sensitising potential of a test compound, comprising steps for: a) contacting a test compound with a skin sample b) determining the level of expression of at least six genes chosen from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (Cathepsin S), DAPK2 (Death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (Fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (Heat shock 27kDa protein), IL18 (Interleukin 18), HSP90 (Heat shock 90kDa protein), IL1R2 (Interleukin 1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (Tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (Interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (Defensin, beta 1), DHFR (Dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ETS homologous factor), IVL (Involucrin), KRT4 (Keratin 4), MELANA (Melan-A), NGAL (Neutrophil gelatinase), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein), PI3 (Peptidase inhibitor), PSME2 (Proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (Serpin peptidase inhibitors, member 3), AKR1B10 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member B10), AKR1C1 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member C1), AKR1C2 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member C2), CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (Ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (Ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (Glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD H dehydrogenase, quinone s2), SLC7A11 (Solute carrier family 7, member 11), TXNRD1 (Thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase polypeptide activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (Glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8), characterised in that the skin sample is an in vitro reconstructed skin sample, and c) determining said compound as having a sensitising potential if the level of expression of at least six of said genes is greater than a threshold value. a) contacting a test compound with a skin sample b) determining the level of expression of at least six genes chosen from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (Cathepsin S), DAPK2 (Death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (Fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (Heat shock 27kDa protein), IL18 (Interleukin 18), HSP90 (Heat shock 90kDa protein), IL1R2 (Interleukin 1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (Tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (Interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (Defensin, beta 1), DHFR (Dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ETS homologous factor), IVL (Involucrin), KRT4 (Keratin 4), MELANA (Melan-A), NGAL (Neutrophil gelatinase), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein), PI3 (Peptidase inhibitor), PSME2 (Proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (Serpin peptidase inhibitors, member 3), AKR1B10 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member B10), AKR1C1 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member C1), AKR1C2 (Aldo-keto reductase family, member C2), CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (Ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (Ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (Glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD H dehydrogenase, quinone s2), SLC7A11 (Solute carrier family 7, member 11), TXNRD1 (Thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase polypeptide activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (Glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8), characterised in that the skin sample is an in vitro reconstructed skin sample, and c) determining said compound as having a sensitising potential if the level of expression of at least six of said genes is greater than a threshold value.