When you think of your favorite beauty brands, the first thing to come to mind probably isn’t the amount of clinical testing they’ve gone through before reaching your skin. But, it might be one of the clinically-backed claims their research enabled them to put on the packaging. Does your favorite foundation also carry SPF in the formula? Does your most reached-for lipstick also hydrate the skin on your lips? These claims are the result of clinical research on makeup.
Why does it matter?
Makeup isn’t like supplements, food, or medicine that you ingest, so you may be surprised at the extent of research that goes into testing makeup. After all, your skin is technically your body’s largest organ, and anything you apply topically needs to be tested rigorously (especially when it goes on the sensitive skin of your face!)
Clinical research of makeup ensures that products are able to pass the scrutiny of the advertising standards industry, and ensure that each claim a brand makes is founded in something solid. Claims that come from clinical trials instill consumer confidence in your brand and protect current market share, as well as encourage future growth.
Why don’t some brands do clinical research?
While it sounds surprising considering all of the benefits of clinical testing and brand transparency, some makeup companies still stop at the bare minimum clinical testing that is legally required to get their products on the shelf. This can be for many reasons but is usually motivated in part by a lack of time and money.
However, the truth is clinical testing beyond what is mandated by health regulations doesn’t have to cost your brand an arm and a leg. You can engage with your customer base through consumer perception studies affordably, and usually run the entire study in as little as 6-8 weeks. Or, you can test your product more rigorously, and still let a third party design your study and run the entire recruitment process while you get only as involved as you want to be (Citruslabs is a great option for this, not that we’re biased.)
If you’re interested in beginning a consumer perception study or any other clinical trial opportunities for your makeup, skincare, or supplement brand, you can read more down below.
Want to learn how you can create research-backed product claims as well?
Citruslabs provides a simple and affordable way to prove that your products actually work. At Citruslabs, we design a clinical trial that is right for you and your budget, so that you can start sharing research-backed product claims without spending a fortune. We offer the cohesive planning and management required to conduct successful clinical trials, from start to finish. Ready to get started? Let's talk! You can contact us here.