Compass: For the Love of Formulating

By: Rachel L. Chapman, Cosmetics & Toiletries

Posted: February 1, 2007, from the February 2007 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

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Nature: Beauty often is found in or derived from nature—from a spritz of a floral fragrance on the body, to actives to reduce inflammation or pigments that enhance with color. Chaudhuri et al. have found that an extract of Phyllanthus emblica can be used in ethnic skin care formulating to inhibit melanin synthesis. In addition, Herrmann et al. look to ginger and its synergistic effects with bisabolol to produce anti-irritant effects.

Love: Love incites feelings of happiness and satisfaction, and in many ways is an essential component to well-being. The personal care industry, taking a page from the spa industry, recently has begun formulating products to this end—to induce feelings of happiness and well-being. However, in an industry focused on claims substantiation, devising methods of measuring an emotional response is a difficult task.

In the research of Eisfeld et al., however, new models are being developed to measure wellness effects. In the article, “Objective Emotional Assessment of Perceivable Wellness Effects,” the authors describe an approach based on psycho-physiological measurements of test subjects to determine their reactions to various textile samples.

This issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine extends to readers an assorted bouquet of fresh topics to consider for the love of formulating.