CLINICAL STUDIES AND PRODUCT CLAIMS

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.