Development benefits of small scale in-house testing

While packaging and overall appearance of the product as well as its scent and feel all affect the purchase decision, much more convincing is tangible and reliable proof of the product’s efficiency. How much more hydrated will the skin be when using a moisturiser? How much shinier will hair be while using a conditioner? Does the use of a skin care product decrease skin oiliness? In addition to consumer expectations, personal care suppliers must also take into account regulatory framework that regulators in most regions have implemented. The manufacturer must be able to show that a cosmetic product delivers a given promise. Objective information on the efficacy of products can be obtained by creating simple in-house protocols for product testing and incorporating fast and practical measurement instruments into the protocols. These instruments provide reliable results for example on the changes happening in the skin during product trials and studies.

Benefits of in-house testing

Product testing within the manufacturer’s R&D department gives direct and immediate insight into the change needs of test product samples. The differences between formulations can readily be determined at an early stage and the effect of small formulation changes to the skin can easily be tested with a limited series of measurements. Including such measures in the R&D operation will save time and cost in the product development phase. To some extent, in-house testing can be used to validate product claims and to support marketing and commercial objectives for the products. Consistent testing will also build up a knowledge base and the experience of R&D personnel as to how the products actually perform on skin in addition to other testing such as chemical and raw material testing that already is often done on an ongoing basis. The company’s quality control system can also be intensified by including direct skin measurements in the R&D and manufacturing processes.