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CLINICAL STUDIES AND PRODUCT CLAIMS

Clinical studies and efficacy

Every year, thousands of new products that act on the skin (personal care products, makeup products or medicinal products) are launched on the market with or without proper clinical testing.

With a trustworthy and reliable clinical study plus a strong efficacy test, your product claims are approved and your marketing is more effective.

Evalulab helps you determine the best clinical test for your product, based on the claim you are looking to promote. Our team carefully assesses your needs and guides you to the most advantageous option. We can also develop new protocols for specific needs.

A quick and simple answer to this question is by making performance promises that are honest, genuine and attractive to the target consumer!

These promises are called product “claims” or “allegations” in the industry.

However, do not forget that all claims used for the marketing of skin care products must be truthful, objective and based on reliable evidence.

Depending on the company, many people may be responsible for writing the claims displayed on products labelling: formulators (research and development team), brand managers (marketing team), product managers (sales team) or even business leaders.

Have you ever thought about what should be considered when aiming to demonstrate the performance of a product?

This depends among other things on the nature of the product, the ingredients used, the manufacturing company’s brand image and the targeted market.

As with any complex project, proceeding stepwise is the key to success.

Here follows a few questions that you may have to ask yourself:
The first question is not technical, nor scientific, but a corporate question: How important is product performance for your business?

If product performance does not add any value to your brand; then regardless of its performance superior or minimal efficacy, it will not change anything for you.

Alternatively, if product performance is essential for your brand image and business success, efficacy testing should be of foremost importance.

Since product performance is your brand image, you, your business and mainly consumers will be picky towards the quality and truthfulness of the information indicated on the product packaging and in your advertising messages. In addition, regulatory agencies and your competitors will be on the alert for all exaggerated, vague or misleading product claims.

The purpose of performance testing is to promote the product benefits on the market, whether to stand on the promises of your products or to strengthen the identity of your brand.

Usually, product claims are determined by listing the recognized properties of each ingredient contained in the formulation.

Or sometimes, the claims are totally “random” without real scientific proofs and rather based on a strategy to seduce the consumers. Such allegations are very powerful because they will resonate specifically with the average of consumers.
For example, you want to develop a personal care product that contains a well-known ingredient or raw material.

  • Use the ingredient offered by a supplier that provides all pertinent information such as: chemistry / physics, stability, safety data, function / mechanism of action, efficacy data and interaction possibilities …. Then, add it to the formula at the concentration recommended by the supplier (as demonstrated by efficacy data).
  • Use the ingredient offered by another supplier that did not submit a complete file showing evidence of effectiveness (probably cheaper since it does not have exactly the same characteristics). Then, add this ingredient at the recommended concentration.
  • Use that ingredient at an infinitesimal concentration

In the three cases above, the name of the ingredient in question will be included in the mandatory INCI list on the packaging.

If it is an ingredient that is popular and well-known among consumers, you will probably sell your product more easily because the targeted consumers will not see the difference between the three cases mentioned above.

If the consumer has no idea of this ingredient, if he did not buy this product just because it was in the tube, then it is unlikely that this presence has an influence (positive or negative) on his purchase decision.

On the other hand, if the ingredient is known to the consumer, and especially sought after by him, he must make a positive association with the ingredient.

At this point, performing clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of your new product will have an impact.

You will be able to clearly distinguish the three options listed above demonstrate the difference and communicate it to your consumers.

Evalulab will help you support your claims with reliable and accurate scientific data.

We will answer to all your questions:

Depending on the positioning of my products in the market, what claims can make?
What types of claims would be relevant to my company and / or my brand image?
What can I expect from the ingredients included in my formulation?
What choices of tests do I have?
What is the distinction between two possible tests options?
Our laboratory has developed many protocols to support your products claims. Contact us to discover all the options.

We also offer the development of customized tests to substantiate the performance of all your products.

The list of clinical studies / tests is long and includes the following: long-lasting hydration, deep moisturizing, anti-aging, restoration of the skin barrier, clinically proven relief from dry skin, non-irritating, hypoallergenic …

We can develop new protocols for your specific needs.

PRODUCT CLAIMS

Wrinkles and fine lines, selected in several zones of the face (eye contour area, forehead, lip contour…) are analyzed directly from the photographs using a software algorithm.

The device measurement principle is based on the ability of the skin to respond to a mechanical deformation. The device can measure several parameters such as skin firmness, elasticity and tonicity.
The hydrating effect of a topical product may be evaluated over short or long term. The Corneometer® measures the hydration on the superficial layers of the skin. The MoistureMeterD® allows the measurement of hydration up to 8 mm skin deep.
A specialized software detects and analyzes dark spots directly on the captured photographs. The dark spots may also be analyzed using the Mexameter®.
The anti-aging effect is evaluated with several test parameters.
A specialized software analyzes five zones of interest on the face to evaluate the global appearance of the face skin. The measured parameters are skin tone evenness and skin color.
A specialized software analyzes five zones of interest on the face to evaluate the global appearance of the face skin. The measured parameters are skin tone evenness and skin color.
The method is based on the ability of dansyl chloride to adhere to cells in the superficial layers of epidermis and fluoresce under UV light.
A specialized software detects and analyzes under-eye dark circles directly on the captured photographs.
The degree of under-eye puffiness is graded by expert judges using a standard scale developed by Evalulab Inc. and approved by external consultants.
The D-Squame® is a transparent adhesive used to sample the superficial layers of skin (squames). The collected samples are quantified by image analysis before and after product usage.
The skin protective barrier function is assessed by measuring Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) with the Tewameter®.
The sebum levels of the skin may be measured with the Sebumeter®. The sebaceous gland activity and therefore the sebum production can be determined using the Sebutape®.

 

Skin pores are detected and analyzed directly on the captured photographs using a software.
An evaluation and comparison of the skin condition is performed before and after product use. The investigator count the number of acne lesions (papules and pustules) on forehead, cheeks and chin.
Photographs taken under UV lighting mode allows to visualize and quantify porphyrin on skin surface.
Rosacea on cheeks and nose is analyzed directly on the captured photographs using a specialized software. The severity of rosacea depends on the affected surface area and the color/redness intensity.
The degree of upper eyelid ptosis is graded by expert judges using a standard scale developed Evalulab Inc. and approved by external consultants.
Lip dryness is evaluated by volunteers and graded by expert judges. In addition, the hydration of lips superficial layers may be measured with the Corneometer®.
This study helps to determine the effectiveness of products to protect the skin against every day pollutants.

The appearance of cellulite and skin firmness may be assessed by expert judges using standard scales developed by Evalulab Inc. and approved by external consultants.

stretch mark appearance could be measured by image analysis. The software analyzes parameters such as color, length and width of stretch marks.

 

The body sculpting effect of contour skin care creams assessed by circumference measurements. The standardization of the positioning and areas selection is carry out by a laser beam
The hydrating effect of a topical product may be evaluated over short or long term. The Corneometer® measures the hydration on the superficial layers of the skin. The MoistureMeterD® allows the measurement of hydration up to 8 mm skin deep.
Very dry to atopic skin is characterized by extreme dryness causing skin irritations and displaying a compromised skin protective barrier function. The main cause for these skin properties alterations is an imbalance of the lipids constituting the skin’s protective barrier.
A compromised protective barrier will not preserve the natural hydration of the skin and it will not provide an effective skin protection. In such a situation, the measured water loss or TEWL rates will increase.
The D-Squame® is a transparent adhesive used to sample the superficial layers of skin (squames). The collected samples are quantified by image analysis before and after product usage.
The level of lipids present in the skin barrier can be assessed via sampling of the superficial layers of the epidermis with cyanoacrylate.
The method used to assess the effectiveness of a deodorant is the “sniff test” (according to ASTM E1307-09 standards).
The efficacy of a cream intended for usage after hair removal may be assessed via standardized photographs.
A specialized software analyzes a zone of interest to evaluate skin tone evenness and skin color.

Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The images are analyzed with Image-Pro®Plus imaging software.

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Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The images are analyzed with Image-Pro® Plus imaging software.
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Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The photographs are taken at different time points according to the needs of the study.
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Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The images are analyzed with Image-Pro® Plus imaging software.
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Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The photographs are taken at different time points according to the needs of the study.
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Standardized photographs are taken with the Visia-CR® system. The photographs are taken at different time points according to the needs of the study.
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The levels of sebum can be measured using the Sebumeter®.
Dryness, redness and itching sensations caused by dandruff can be assessed by clinical evaluation.
The speed or rate of hair growth can be assessed by measuring the length of hair re-grown after a hair dye treatment.
The reduction or prevention of hair loss can be evaluated by the phototrichogram technique.
The ability of a product to protect hair from the effects of external factors can be assessed on natural hair strands and/or recruited volunteers.
Hair shine, hair volume and hair smoothness can be assessed by study subjects (self-evaluation questionnaires) or graded by expert judges.

Haven’t found the test that’s right for you?

Do not hesitate to contact us. A member of our team can help you choose the best option to support your claims.