Laboratory Instrumental Assessments

Validating and Supporting Your Consumer Product Testing Claims with Percentage-Based Laboratory Instrumental Assessments

At Validated Claim Support, we know that Biophysical Instrumentation is critical when it comes to demonstrating what your product is capable of when it comes into contact with the skin.

Percentage-based improvements can be utilized in Consumer Product Testing, and are deployed to support a wide range of Anti Aging Claims, Active Ingredient Testing Assays, Makeup and Cosmetics, and Over The Counter products alike.

Instrumental claims are generally considered to be some of the most robust and staunch clinical data that can be provided.

Consumer Product Testing Scale Design and Scoring

Scales are dependent upon the underlying instrument, and may be linear (Arbitrary Units) or logarithmic (PH).

Clinical Testing Instrumentation Deployed

VCS’ main instrument supplier is Courage Khazaka, who has provided a variety of bases and probes that can designate and record changes in underlying conditions.

VCS maintains the following devices onsite with calibration records available upon request:

Visioscan

A sophisticated LED UV-A light video camera with high-resolution image capture is deployed to study the skin surface. Images demonstrate the changes in contrast and structure in the skin. Properties such as fine lines and wrinkles along with surface roughness are commonly measured via Visioscan.

Cutometer

Viscoelastic property measurements of the skin are taken as a function of mechanical deformation via suction. Negative pressure is created, and skin is drawn into the aperture of the probe. The Cutometer aids specifically in skin firmness and skin elasticity claim support, which is often paired with Anti-Aging study designs.

Corneometer

Measures hydration levels of the skin via dielectric properties. Useful for hydration, dry skin, and moisturization-related claims. The Corneometer is the most commonly used instrument for hydration claims in the industry and has been a staple of hydration support for 30 years.

Colorimeter

Color measurements on the skin measure the absorbency of light waves by analyzing the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the visible light region.

Glossy-meter

Gloss measurement – Gloss and shine are particularly important measurements for decorative cosmetics and personal care. Reflectance is measured by assessing the portion of light reflected and mirrored from the surface.

Sebumeter

Skin Surface Oil – A special film is applied to the surface of the skin via cartridge, and the strip is then analyzed to determine variations in film transparency via spectrophotometric measurements. The Sebumeter is most commonly used to assess surface oil reduction claims in skincare products.

pH Meter

Skin Balance and PH Claims – the pH meter is an electrical device that determines the acidity or basicity of solutions or on the surface of the skin. pH meters are calibrated with control buffer solutions that span the range of the area or substrate being measured.

Tewameter (TEWL)

Transepidermal Water Loss – Measures the density gradient of the water evaporation from the skin indirectly via two different sensors that are calibrated to collect temperature and humidity data inside of a hollow cylinder.

Tewameter is most often deployed to measure film-forming capacity and to assist with secondary moisturization claims.

Novameter

Nova Dermal Phase Meter – Utilized to attain measurements of skin surface impedance to determine individual treatment sites’ electroconductivity. This data gives a relative measure of retained water content, which is a direct function of hydration levels in the skin.

Minolta Chromameter

A handheld device that is used to measure the color of objects and the skin surface. Data can be reported in L*A*B* format in order to normalize and measure consistent changes in values that are most relevant to skin tone assessments.

Laser Doppler

Fluid Velocity: Most commonly used to assess blood flow and surface-level support changes in the skin after product application or treatment. Particles are measured suspended in fluid as they pass through a fringe or interference pattern.

Dermo

Mondray Technologies – A scientific optical probe for measuring collagen and water concentration in the skin. Technology is based on Infrared light emitted at different wavelengths.