Engineering Sensory in Personal Care

Converging multiple sensory experiences in one package can help a personal care product stand out on shelves. Touch and sight are standard but sound and smell also are becoming players in packaging, according to a report from GCI.

Further, according to Vivienne Rudd of Mintel, new technologies will offer exciting hybrid products going forward. "Innovation will come not only from beauty but from complementary categories such as textiles, devices, sensors, 3D and 4D printing, food and drink and automotives. Of particular interest are new delivery systems and packaging, both of which will see significant advances. These will impact most beauty categories, but the sharpest focus will be on skin care, hair care and fragrance.”

Of course, once a product is in the consumer's hands, this experience must continue in order to gain their loyalty. Learn how to engineer sensory experience for captivating products at the Cosmetics & Toiletries Summit (June 26–27, 2014, at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia). Here, "Engineering Sensory for Consumer Appeal" will be the focus of a hands-on workshop, led by Mark Chandler (ACT Solutions Corp.) and Carol Grant (Sensory Spectrum, Inc.).

This lab will first cover the technical aspects of how to create sensory effects in formulations; then classes will break into teams, each of which will be given a mock marketing brief and a palette of sample formulas with different aesthetics. In this second portion, led by S. Peter Foltis (L'Oréal USA) and Leslie Harris (SkinCeuticals/L'Oréal USA), the teams will evaluate the samples, come to a consensus, and discuss which best meets the target application given in the mock briefs and why. With each decision, Chandler and Grant will also describe the type of formulation selected and comment about the advantages and sensitivities that go along with the specific formulas.

This is one of four workshops through which attendees will rotate to sharpen their formulating skills. Register now—space is limited. Other workshops include formulating gel networks, optimizing formula efficacy and communicating with marketing. The presentation of the workshops and conference program are made possible, in part, through the support of sponsors.

About Chandler

Mark Chandler is the president of ACT Solutions Corp. (Adaptive Cosmetic Technology Solutions), a consultancy focusing on "Adaptive Aesthetic Design," advanced emulsion solutions and "Formulating for Efficacy." Chandler has been in the personal care industry since 1984, most recently serving as the skin care applications manager for Croda Inc. Chandler has taught the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) cosmetic formulation, cosmetic raw materials and low energy emulsification courses for 15 years. In addition, he has instructed on emulsions for the Center for Professional Advancement.

About Grant

Since 2011, Carol Grant has managed sensory projects in the food and personal care product categories for Sensory Spectrum. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Food Science, and has 15 years of experience in both product development and marketing research experience from CPG companies and the fragrance industry.

About Cosmetics & Toiletries Summit

The Cosmetics & Toiletries Summit features an interactive research conference followed by hands-on formulating workshops. On day one, academic level, award-winning speakers will present forward-thinking science and theory applicable to cosmetics R&D. These sessions will range from insights encompassing all product categories, to specific sun/skin and hair related tracks. Read more about this all-star cast of speakers. Day two will highlight practical application in a workshop setting. Visit summit.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com to learn more.

More in Sensory