Formulation challenges helped by workshops

Run by renowned scientific experts, the four half-day workshops – taking place from 3-4 November 2011 – will examine issues surrounding claim support and efficacy testing, skin lightening, formulating with fragrances, sensory science and optimising cosmetic formulations digitally. Stephen Weller, director of communications at the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) will lead the first workshop of the day on 3 November: Formulating with Fragrances. The workshop will delve into the complexities surrounding formulating with fragrances, taking a look at the world of fragrance regulation. The recent changes at IFRA and what it means to the cosmetics and fragrance industry and its customers will also be discussed. Dr Matthias Vey, scientific director at IFRA will then go on to outline the latest developments on the Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) approach adopted by IFRA, offering an overview of the latest 46th amendment to the IFRA Standards. There will also be an interactive touch and feel session from a leading fragrance house, exploring the latest trends as well as the sensory issues that go hand in hand with fragrance formulation.

Dr Alain Khaiat from Seers Consulting will introduce the second workshop of the day: Claims Support – What’s New in Cosmetics Efficacy Testing. The workshop will give manufacturers advice and guidance on how to evaluate test results to support the claims of cosmetic products. Explaining the rationale behind the topic, he commented: “Consumers are more and more demanding when it comes to product efficacy data and regulators want to see supporting documents for the claims that are being made. R&D formulators therefore need to have more and better data to support the claims from ingredient suppliers or from their own testing. This workshop will examine why we need to support claims and what the requirements are.” Fabrice Perrin, director at Spin Control Asia will then go on to explain how cosmetics can improve the wellbeing and quality of life of consumers and Cecilia Li from Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific Skin Testing Center will demonstrate how it is possible to achieve an attractive claim for whitening by using a multiplex clinical design. Concluding the claims support programme, Dr R.B. Mohile from C.L.A.I.M.S India (Clinical Aesthetics and Investigative Management Services) will ask the question: Which comes first – claims or efficacy testing? arguing that it could be possible to reverse the usual process and have efficacy testing driving the claims as opposed to the other way round.

Alain Khaiat added: “It is vitally important that manufacturers are aware of what is needed to ensure the claim protocols are valid. Efficacy testing is essential in this industry and companies need to know how to do this properly for the best possible outcome. This workshop will furnish delegates with the information they need when it comes to cosmetic efficacy testing, as well as new insights on claim support.” The final day of the exhibition (Friday 4 November 2011) will play host to two further workshops. Organised by Prof Dr Johann Wiechers from JW Solutions, Sensory Science – Scientific Principles and Methodologies will look at how the feel of cosmetic products differs between Asia and Europe as well as how to formulate a specific skin-feel into a cosmetic formulation. Not only will the theory of different types of sensory testing be explained, but attendees will also be able to test the products to feel the difference that these techniques can bring to their cosmetic business. By means of complex data analysis, Prof Dr Wiechers will explain how Asian products differ from their European counterparts and how it is possible to transform a successful European product into an equally successful Asian equivalent. This requires detailed knowledge of the sensory profiles of raw materials as well as an understanding of their influence in determining skin-feel.