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Laboratory technician testing foundation shades with graduated color samples on white palette

Testing Tactics: Measuring What Matters in Color Cosmetics

Effective product evaluation requires combining multiple approaches—analytical, instrumental, expert, and consumer-led testing—to ensure a product's consumer promise is accurately measured.

Woman applying skincare cream at vanity with cosmetic bottles, jars, and fresh plants on marble surface

Establishing a Clear Framework for Safety and Claims in Personal Care Products

Independent third-party certification is vital for transparency and market success.

Scientist in blue gloves dispensing liquid from dropper into amber glass bottle during laboratory procedure

Is Your NPD Testing Keeping Pace With Cosmetic Innovation?

Ben Elmadi, Technical Manager – Cosmetics, at MSL Solution Providers explains why brands should re-evaluate their approach to NPD testing.

Scientist in safety glasses studying green chemical solution with molecular structure overlay

Advances in Beauty and Personal Care Testing: Novel In vitro Models, Multi-Test Combos, ‘Evidence Packages’ and Real-World Exposure

Advances in analytics and in vitro models are revolutionizing R&D in cosmetics and personal care. This article explores trends, cutting-edge research and expert insights on how these technologies are shaping the future of ethical, efficient testing.

[interview] How Protein Instability Serves as a Biomarker of Aging — Cosmetic Victories Profile with IBGC/CNRS

"...The rationale is to measure the acceleration of natural protein aging in response to various endpoints of the exposome..."

Woman with dark bob hairstyle posing elegantly with dramatic makeup

Testing Tactics: Decoding Repair and Conditioning Claims to Deliver Real Results in Hair

This article explores the evolving world of hair conditioning and repair, including prevalent bonding claims. It examines what these terms mean, the types of damage being addressed, tests to substantiate these claims and how consumers perceive them.

Neuroscents: Leveraging the Predictive Brain for Fragrances that ‘Biohack’ Emotion and Cognition

The predictive brain constructs rather than observes product benefits, and imaging can reveal stages of this construction. This understanding was employed to design fragranced products that influence mood, perception and cognition, as demonstrated here.

Green plant samples in test tubes during scientific research experiment

Bio + Chemo Guidance Uncover New Benefits in Known Naturals: Murraya Koenigii Extract Case Study

Murraya koenigii extracts derived via various techniques were compared. One developed through chem- and bio-guidance paired with a natural deep eutectic technology uncovered lesser-known efficacies, leading to a natural active to boost elastin synthesis.

Pictured here is a clinical test subject before/after captured by Visia skin analysis. This image was created during a clinical test of RoC Skincare RoC 35 protocol users. All tests were conducted at clinics in France, with participants aged 45-plus, who reported their skin looked an average of 9.6 years younger after 90 days.

Beauty Before-and-Afters: How Better Imagery, AI, Social Media and Testing Are Changing the Game

“A high-quality before and after image offers a huge range of benefits. It pushes transparency. You’re no longer stating a claim, you’re demonstrating it."

Young Beautiful Multiracial Girl Smiling Using Facial Skin Care

Modeling and Targeting Cell Communication, Senescence and Immunoevasion to Support Skin Longevity

The present work sought to develop in vitro models to study the mechanisms of key hallmarks of aging: cellular communication, senescence and immunoevasion. The models were then used to test the efficacy of natural actives targeting these mechanisms.

woman in red dress floating in water with algae

Microalgal Bio-retinoid: A Retinol Alternative to Gently Rewind Signs of Photoaging

This article compares the efficacy of a bio-retinoid from microalga with that of retinol and bakuchiol to reverse signs of photoaging in vitro. Its efficacy, safety and skin-soothing effects vs. retinol and bakuchiol are also explored in clinical trials.

Bee wax honey dipper spray bottle

How Bee-friendly Aqueous Propolis ‘Sticks it’ to Microbiota Dysbiosis, Skin Conditions

An aqueous, or white propolis, extract was tested in vitro and shown to affect microbiota connected with skin conditions. In vivo trials also demonstrated the ingredient’s safety and efficacy in reducing skin discomfort, dryness and body odor.

beautiful Asian woman with radiant glowing skin

Testing Tactics in Skin: Evaluating Radiance and Texture

Hydrated, even-toned skin with a natural glow, all indicators of health, has gained popularity in the last decade. This article explores the meaning of skin radiance, its relationship to texture and various ways to measure this desired attribute.

For desirable hair styles, both stiffness and flexibility are necessary – but the two properties are generally considered incompatible.

Isomalto-oligosaccharides Naturally Balance ‘Stiffness’ with Flexibility for Hair Styling Benefits

This article describes enzymatically controlled naturally derived isomalto-oligosaccharides. It demonstrates how they balance stiffness and flexibility to maintain hair styles, as well as reduce the need for synthetic setting polymers.

After 14 days, M. cochinchinensis extract improved stinging, irritation, itch and discomfort by 67%, 100%, 91% and 100%, respectively.

Holistically Derailing the Sensitive Scalp ‘Rollercoaster’

A Maclura cochinchinensis extract was developed to provide holistic relief for sensitive scalps by derailing multiple interconnected aspects of this “rollercoaster” condition. The active’s efficacy was tested in vitro and in vivo as described here.

To provide a natural solution for sensitive skin, a hyperbranched dextrin was developed and tested for soothing and protective effects. The absence of adverse effects on the microbiome also was assessed by a third party, with promising results.

Hyperbranched Dextrin for Soothing, Microbiome-friendly Skin Care

To provide a natural solution for sensitive skin, a hyperbranched dextrin was developed and tested for soothing and protective effects. The absence of adverse effects on the microbiome also was assessed by a third party, with promising results.

Transdermal microneedle patches enable active ingredients to bypass the slow diffusional process across the stratum corneum’s barrier to reach directly into the deeper skin layers.

How Dissolving HA Microneedles Change Before/After Application

Dissolvable microneedles have gained popularity to overcome the skin barrier and deliver actives. Here, SEM was used to evaluate changes that occur to microneedles upon application. The results could provide claims and regulatory classification insights.

The present study examined the effects of commercially available jojoba esters in liquid, natural jojoba-like form in three studies measuring irritation mitigation, skin hydration and soothing properties.

Jojoba Oil Esters Ease Inflammation, Sensitivity and Water Loss from Skin and the Environment

Water scarcity has become a major concern and jojoba is known to flourish under controlled low water conditions. As such, jojoba wax esters were explored for skin care to reduce inflammation and sensitivity and to provide hydration over a 24-hr period.