Founder profile
Brian Ecclefield, CEO & Founder
Brian Ecclefield has spent 17 years developing in vivo clinical studies that help brands build and defend their personal care and cosmetic claims. He launched Validated Claim Support in Teaneck, New Jersey as an alternative to the clinical status quo, and the laboratory began operations in August 2019.
Over his career, Brian has helped launch dozens of products on QVC and HSN and has reviewed thousands of clinical reports. He has pushed for transparency in sunscreen testing, including as a whistleblower on questionable SPF results in 2025, and he serves as an expert witness in consumer protection cases involving misleading sunscreen claims.
Brian serves on the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists Executive Board as Treasurer Elect. He brings a behind-the-scenes view of how claims are made and tested to roundtables, interviews, and conference stages.
Featured in
In the news
News Coverage and Articles
ABC News (Australia), 7.30
Former employees of sunscreen testing lab blow the whistle on alleged questionable practices
Brian’s exclusive interview on why he left Princeton Consumer Research over doubts about its SPF testing.
Read or watchABC News (Australia), video
Can we trust the testing regime for sunscreens?
The 7.30 broadcast segment on sunscreen testing and the labs behind SPF results.
Read or watchCBC Marketplace
Sunscreen SPF protection investigation
Canada’s consumer investigation program looks at whether sunscreens deliver the SPF on the label.
Read or watchMen’s Health
The anti-sunscreen movement is coming for you
Brian is quoted on sunscreen testing in Men’s Health coverage of the anti-sunscreen trend.
Read or watchBeautyMatter
The real sunscreen scandal isn’t in Australia. It’s in the lab.
A feature on the testing lab at the center of the Australian sunscreen controversy, drawing on Brian’s firsthand experience.
Read or watchCosmetics & Toiletries
What the testing lab got wrong
A special report video in which Brian walks through the sunscreen testing report behind the Australian labeling crisis.
Read or watchTom Branna on Substack
Suncare in the spotlight and under the microscope
A write-up of Brian’s NYSCC Symposium talk on choosing a testing lab and the variability of SPF results.
Read or watchPodcasts and interviews
Listen and Watch
Skincare Anarchy, Episode 587
Behind the scenes of beauty: regulatory compliance, testing, and safety
Brian’s first podcast, covering skincare trends, upcoming regulations, and what they mean for consumers and the industry.
Listen or watchThe Skincarma Pod, Episode 53
Interview with Brian Ecclefield
Brian on clinical testing and the claims behind skincare products.
Listen or watchPretty Equity, Episode 11
Interview with Brian Ecclefield
A video interview on what testing is and isn’t, and how to read a lab report.
Listen or watchPretty Equity on Substack
When the test results aren’t real: the written interview
The written companion to the Pretty Equity episode.
Listen or watchBeauty Confidential, Episode 5
Tested, not told
A discussion of the difference between claims that are tested and claims that are only told.
Listen or watchThe Eco Well
Sunscreen Gate 2025 roundtable
An expert roundtable with Michelle Wong PhD and Hannah English on the Australian sunscreen testing controversy.
Listen or watchMasters of Wellness Podcast
Interview with Brian Ecclefield
Brian on clinical research, product claims, and consumer trust.
Listen or watchThe Lion’s Den, Episode 83
Founder and CEO of Validated Claim Support
Venezia Leone talks with Brian about Validated Claim Support and clinical testing.
Listen or watchSpeaking and expert work
Expertise You Can Bring to Your Audience
Brian speaks at industry events, including the NYSCC Symposium, and works as an expert witness in consumer protection litigation involving sunscreen and SPF claims. He is available for interviews, panels, and roundtables on:
- How SPF testing works and why results vary between laboratories
- How to vet a clinical testing laboratory before you sign a study
- Claim substantiation for skincare, personal care, and beauty devices
- Clinical before and after photography and what makes it defensible
- What consumers should know about “clinically proven” claims
For journalists and producers
Tell us your outlet, topic, and deadline, and we will connect you with Brian or the right member of our clinical team.
You may also be interested in
Skincare, Personal Care and Makeup
Efficacy and safety studies for moisturizers, serums, haircare, cleansers, color cosmetics and more.
ExploreMedical and Beauty Devices
Clinical studies for LED, microcurrent, RF, laser, scalp and wellness devices.
ExploreCase Studies
Published results from Jolie, Revision Skincare, Johnson & Johnson/Kenvue and Good Molecules.
ExplorePlanning a Story on Product Claims or Sunscreen Testing?
Our team can explain how clinical studies work, what a lab report should show, and how to tell a substantiated claim from marketing language.
Clinical photography
Before & After Photography: Custom Teaneck NJ Studio
Clinically Validated, High Resolution Before and After Images and Analysis Over Time. Validated Claim Support offers cutting-edge, high-resolution photography to help document product efficacy over a given treatment timeline or product usage cycle.
Learn moreGet a quote
Redness reduction: 44% less excess redness from baseline to week 2. Drag to compare.
