MEN’S GROOMING
Clinical testing for a booming men’s sector
Dr. Nalini Kaul PhD- Princeton Consumer Research
The male grooming industry is growing at a rapid pace. Entire aisles of drug stores are dedicated to men’s grooming products. Product demand in the skin care, hair care, and fragrance industries has grown dramatically and is expected to keep pace in the coming years. Whether this growth stems from celebrity advertising or social media influence, one thing is clear: men have come a long way from the days of merely using a soap bar as face and body wash. The modern man stands ready and willing to invest in skin and hair products that maintain their health and youth. Globe News Wire reports the men’s
grooming market worldwide will reach $183.2 Billion by 2027, with the U.S. market alone estimated at $38 Billion, and China Forecast to grow at 6.9%.1
As men continue to open
their wallets for new and improved grooming products, brands catering to this market are stepping up to meet those needs by expanding offerings to include anti-ageing, SPF and anti- acne products. Customisation of products is proving equally important, such as specialised regimens for every combination of skin and hair. At Princeton Consumer Research (PCR),
we offer premier clinical research testing facilities with expertise in clinical testing for men’s grooming products. Specifically, we offer clinical testing for the following classes of products: ■ Personal Cleansing Products: soaps, shower gels, body washes
■ Sweat & Odour Control Products: anti-perspirants and deodorants ■ Shaving Products: shaving creams, before and after shave lotions, shave gels and balms ■ Skin Care Products: cleansers, moisturisers, anti-ageing products ■ Hair & Beard Care Products: shampoos, conditioners, styling products (pomades, putties, clays, waxes, gels) Companies are legally required to promote
products based on proven claims rather than lofty descriptions. Companies also need their products to meet the demands of savvy customers. Today’s customers can no longer be lured by visually appealing marketing campaigns alone. They require scientifically substantiated claims backing their products of choice. All the while, the introduction of novel ingredients into grooming products is pushing the boundaries of the scientific claims themselves. After manufacturers test for package
compatibility and product integrity, new products land at Princeton Consumer Research for clinical testing. Clinical testing at PCR begins with client consultation to create a customised study design. Our knowledgeable experts and trained study staff, often under the supervision of dermatologists, then execute the clinical trial, collect data, and statistically analyse trial outcomes. At PCR, we offer both safety and efficacy
testing. Safety testing of these products involves a determination of potential skin and eye irritation or allergic reaction. Common methods of evaluation include Human Repeat Insult Patch testing (“HRIPT”), cumulative irritation testing, and photo-reactivity testing. The correct study design for any given product will depend on client needs and the product being tested. Efficacy testing focuses on ensuring
Figure 2: Efficacy testing of a deodorant product in the laboratory. The odour judge is sniffing the subject’s armpit.
www.personalcaremagazine.com
product claims are clinically proven and supported by strong results. Adverse events occurring during efficacy trials are collected to further substantiate product safety. Efficacy testing may be used to authenticate cleansers, shaving products, moisturisers, anti-ageing products, antiperspirants, deodorants as well as products for hair and scalp. We also offer total hair and skin regimen test for multiple products. Below, we offer a description of sample study designs that may be used for efficacy testing of these products.
25
Figure 1: Efficacy testing of an antiperspirant spray product in the laboratory. The product is being sprayed on to subject’s armpit area by trained staff.
Personal cleansing products The forearm-controlled application technique (“FCAT”) or leg-controlled application test (“LCAT”) are used to estimate the relative irritation potential of personal cleansers. The FCAT and LCAT study designs use an exposure protocol based on consumer washing habits, offering an efficient means to evaluate cleanser mildness. The testing industry has relied on short-duration, exaggerated protocols that reach outcomes beyond those observed under normal use conditions to predict the relative irritation potential of personal cleansing products. At PCR, we understand the challenge is to choose appropriate test conditions that provide a reasonable level of product discrimination without sacrificing consumer relevance. By testing multiple products on each subject, the LCAT and FCAT helps minimise confounding effects. For example, an exaggerated leg, arm or hand wash can be used to verify claims such as “gentle”, “mild”, and “non-drying”. On the other hand, a kinetic study design provides results detailing the effectiveness of a product over a short period of time: 1, 8 or 24 hours. These studies help to verify claims such as “moisturising formula” and “provides up to [X] hours of moisturisation”. In all of these study designs, the cleansing product is applied to the skin. The product
September 2021 PERSONAL CARE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
