Anti-Aging Claim Substantiation

Fine Lines and Wrinkles Reduction, Photo Aging, Anti Aging Testing

The Anti-Aging Clinical Testing market is huge both domestically and internationally, and with the right claim support your product could go on to become a market leader generating tens of millions in revenue.

What is Anti Aging Testing all about?

The continuous bombardment of UV radiation from the sun, high density pollutants from global manufacturing, the daily use of other products, and the wide range of other environmental variables make it an uphill battle for consumers to try and stay looking their best.

Anti-Aging involves a wide range of claims that are designed to make consumers look and feel younger and more vibrant.

Types of Anti-Aging Conditions

Typically, we recommend that supporting an Anti-Aging claim should have a minimum of 2-3 of the following specific underlying conditions improved in one fashion or another:

• Wrinkle Reduction
• Fine Lines
• Skin Toning and Evenness
• Age Spot and Hyperpigmentation Reduction
• Undereye Bag Reduction
• Skin Firmness and Elasticity
• Pore Size Reduction
• Moisturization
• Skin Smoothness
• Increased Collagen

There are many additional claims that relate to Anti-Aging and this list is just a start. It is also important to note that all of the above terms also reflect back to other secondary claims which can be made as well.

The Best Defense is Long Term Prevention

When designing a well-rounded anti-aging product, don’t forget that other parameters such as SPF and broad spectrum claims can be considered as well.

Is Anti-Aging an “FDA Approved” Claim for Consumer Products?

Short answer: no.

Outside of OTC monographs specifically posted by the FDA (SPF, Dandruff Control, Acne, etc) the FDA does not directly approve of methods or products in the skincare and cosmetic realm.

The onus is on the brand and the manufacturer to ensure that sufficient clinical data is available to backup any statements made on product packaging, labels, or in secondary marketing materials. At the international level, specifically in Japan with the JCIA and “wrinkle reduction” claims, there are a number of exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking, Anti-Aging claims fall into the beauty care realm and thus have a number of different viable support methodologies.

While there is no posted standard for how to go about supporting Anti-Aging claims, the industry as a whole has a number of “best practices” in place which we can help you to implement.

Note that just because particular claims are not directly referenced by the FDA or other agencies does not mean that they don’t have full regulatory and oversite on the final products. In addition, the competitors in the marketplace along with retailers, distributors, and consumers all have a vested interest in assuring nobody over steps their bounds when it comes to claims.

In practice, most “challenges” to claims come from competitor submissions, and it is incredibly important that you Validate and Support your label Claims to avoid expensive litigation and forced market withdrawals.

Sample Anti-Aging Claims

VCS can help support a wide range of label claims that consumers seek from their skincare and makeup providers in these areas including:

• Supports Maintaining a Youthful Appearance
• Reduction In the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Improvement In Skin Firmness
• Radiant, Even Skin Tone
• Reduction in the appearance of Age Spots
• Reduction in the appearance of undereye puffiness
• Anti-Aging
• Healthy, Youthful Appearance

Claim Support Validation Consumer Product Testing Techniques

Claims can be supported by a combination of the following techniques:

• Clinical Photography
• Biophysical Instrumentation
• Expert Clinical Grading
• Subjective Questionnaires

Wrinkle Reduction and Fine Line Improvement

Perhaps the most common and direct line of claim support for antiaging comes in the form of Wrinkle and Fine Line reduction. By working to make these conditions less visible or by working on properties of the skin such as elasticity and firmness, it’s possible for a product to make its users appear younger and more youthful.

Wrinkles and Fine Lines are a particularly common theme with anti-aging products, and with the right clinical support its possible to state hard, percentage based claims or softer, sensory oriented claims as well.

Sample Wrinkle and Fine Line Claims

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduces the appearance of crow’s feet and laugh lines
• Visible reduction of up to XX%
• Makes skin appear more youthful and vibrant

Please contact us if you’d like to know more about how to help support your next product’s anti wrinkle or fine line capabilities.

Skin Tone & Evenness Claims

Time can take a serious toll on your skin. Many different factors lead to a prevalence of age spots or different hyperpigmentation related conditions, and some people are more susceptible to them than others.

One thing for certain is that with a consistent and well thought through skincare routine it is possible to prevent and reduce the underlying conditions which can lead to the appearance of a healthier and more youthful complexion.

VCS can help support a wide range of label claims that consumers seek from their skincare and makeup providers in these areas including:

• Reduces the Appearance of Age Spots
• Helps Reduce Hyperpigmentation
• Helps Promote Even Skin Tone
• Reduces Inflammation and Redness
• Helps Restore Skin’s Natural Healthy Glow

If your product can help even the skin tone or reduce the appearance of redness or generally troubled skin, let us help you demonstrate its efficacy with our proprietary Validated Clinical Photography.