Validating Product Claims With Objective Clinical Studies and Research Data
- Clinically proven to reduce the signs of aging
- Clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- In a clinical study, 91% of participants showed a significant reduction in the appearance of pores (notice how we described the number of participants as a percentage, not the actual improvement itself as a percentage).
See how our photography supports grading →
Leave the Evaluations Up to the Clinical Study Experts at Validated Claim Support
Validated Scales and Clinical Grade Scoring
What Is Clinical Expert Grading?
How expert grading works at VCS
- At baseline, a trained expert grader scores each attribute in the protocol before the panelist uses the product.
- The same grader scores the same attributes, on the same scale, at each follow-up visit, for example at Week 4 and Week 8.
- Each score is compared with the panelist's own baseline, and the results are analyzed statistically to support the claim.
Grader training
Graders are trained through the VCS structured training plan and training matrix. Training includes hands-on correlation with the Clinical Research Manager and the appropriate study medical personnel, online and in-person grader training modules, and leading industry publications. Our Clinical Research Manager has more than 21 years of hands-on skin and hair grading experience and is known for consistent, reproducible data collection.
Example grading scales
Efficacy attributes are scored on 10-point scales, from 0 to 9, with a written description at each end, so every grader scores against the same reference points.
| Attribute | Best end of the scale | Worst end of the scale |
|---|---|---|
| Fine lines and wrinkles | None | Numerous, deep lines and wrinkles |
| Radiance and luminosity | Radiant, luminous, glowing | Dull, matte or sallow |
| Skin tone evenness | Even, healthy skin color | Uneven, discolored, blotchy |
| Pore appearance | Small, not easily visible | Large, easily visible |
| Under eye dark circles | No color difference from surrounding skin | Intense, deep color difference |
| Firmness | Firm, tight appearance | Loose appearance |
VCS also holds anchored scales for hair and scalp, makeup and cosmetics, and mouth and gums.
Tolerance grading
For safety and in-use tolerance, the expert grader scores dryness, erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) from 0 to 4, and panelists rate stinging, tingling, itching and burning from 0 (none) to 3 (severe).
| Dryness grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | None: smooth, no signs of dryness |
| 1 | Mild: slight but definite dryness, fine scales |
| 2 | Moderate: mild flaking, some uplifting scales |
| 3 | Moderate to severe: peeling, flaking scales |
| 4 | Severe: profuse flaking and coarse scaling, cracking |
Clinical Study Expert Grading Parameters
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles (Global)
- Skin Texture Smoothness
- Skin Texture Softness
- Firmness
- Elasticity
- Suppleness
- Contours
- Plumpness
- Neck: Horizontal Lines/Wrinkles
- Sagging (Mid Face)
- Under Eye Bags
- Pore Appearance
- Shine
- Overall Skin Quality/healthy appearance/condition
- Brightness/Radiance/ Luminosity
- Skin Tone Evenness
- Skin Tone Clarity
- PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
- Dark Spots / Age Spots (intensity)
- Discoloration/ Hyperpigmentation
- Complexion & Health
Clinical photography
Before & After Photography: Custom Teaneck NJ Studio
Clinically Validated, High Resolution Before and After Images and Analysis Over Time. Validated Claim Support uses high-resolution clinical photography to document how a product performs over a treatment timeline or product usage cycle.
See our before and after photographyGet a quoteSee the gallery
Redness reduction: 44% less redness from baseline to week 2. The lower circle shows the average skin color in the treated area. Drag to compare.
Before and after case studies
Hair Growth Efficacy And Clinical Density Improvement →
Hair Density And Hair Growth Clinical Imaging Side Profile →
Full Face Acne Reduction Lesions With Analysis →
Dry Scalp And Dandruff Improvement Clinical Study Photo →
Anti-Aging, Wrinkle Reduction And Clinical Claim Support Imaging →
Full Face Before And After Anti-Aging And Fine Line Reduction →
Pore Size Reduction Clinical Photograph →
High Resolution Redness Reduction →
Expert Clinical Grading
Trained graders score visible changeSupports claims like “Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”
Learn more →Biomarkers and Microbiome
Tape strips, swabs and collectionsSupports claims like “Microbiome friendly” and “Won’t disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome”
Learn more →Biophysical Instrumentation
Hydration, TEWL, elasticity, colorSupports claims like “Hydrates by up to 87% in as little as one use”
Learn more →Peer-Reviewed Writing
Clinical and scientific publicationsScientifically validated study summaries for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals
Learn more →Before and After Photography
Controlled, reproducible clinical imagingSupports claims like “Up to a 44% reduction in redness in as little as 2 weeks”
Learn more →Consumer Perception
Panelist questionnaires and self-assessmentSupports claims such as “97% of women agreed their skin felt smoother and more supple”
Learn more →From the VCS blog
Start a Conversation About Your Product Study
Tell us about your product, your intended claims, and your timeline. Our business development team will review your needs and follow up with a customized proposal, typically within one business day. There is no cost for the initial consultation or study design review.
FAQ
Expert Clinical Grading: frequently asked questions
What is expert clinical grading?
Expert clinical grading, also called clinical technician grading, objective grading or medical professional grading, is a claim support method used by Validated Claim Support. A trained, qualified grader scores skin or hair conditions, such as wrinkle severity, acne lesions, brightness and redness, on a defined numerical scale before and after product use.
How is expert grading different from consumer perception studies or home use trials?
Consumer perception and user feedback support soft claims. Percentage-based improvement claims need a clinical endpoint. Expert grading requires controlled laboratory visits where lighting, temperature and humidity are managed, which a home use trial cannot provide. Validated Claim Support usually adds self-perception questionnaires to a full clinical study so subjective data is captured too.
What grading scales does VCS use?
Validated Claim Support's graders generally use a 5-point (0 to 4) or 10-point (0 to 9) scale, with defined intervals and descriptors for each value, anchored around a positive and a negative condition. Scales can be based on regulatory provisions, industry publications, laboratory experience or material the client provides. Results are tabulated and statistically analyzed.
Which skin parameters can be graded?
Validated Claim Support can grade fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture smoothness and softness, firmness, elasticity, suppleness, plumpness, sagging, under-eye bags, pore appearance, shine, radiance, skin tone evenness and clarity, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dark spots and discoloration. Other parameters are available, and VCS will review industry or client-provided guidelines and secondary scales.
How many parameters can one study include?
One expert grading study can include several unrelated parameters for incremental price increases, which makes it a cost-effective way to support related claims. Validated Claim Support recommends including no more than 7 parameters in a single study.
How long does an expert grading study take?
Timing depends on the product. For cosmetic efficacy, Validated Claim Support may take immediate or 24-hour readings. For long-term treatments such as anti-aging or hair growth, VCS typically assesses over 4 to 16 weeks, and multiple readings can be taken along the way.
What kinds of claims can expert grading support?
Expert grading supports percentage-based efficacy claims such as “Clinically proven to reduce the signs of aging,” “Clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles,” and “In a clinical study, 91% of participants showed a significant reduction in the appearance of pores.” Note that the last example reports the share of participants who improved, not the size of the improvement.
Can VCS use our own grading scale or guidelines?
Yes. Validated Claim Support can implement scales based on client-provided material, and will review industry or client-provided guidelines and secondary scales alongside its own.