Microbiome Claims: To Do or Not To Do?

This month sees the publication of a new review article on skin microbiome claims for cosmetic products in Personal Care Magazine (https://library.triprinceton.org/1knvo5l/). Written by TRI team members, Dr Ernesta Malinauskyte and Dr Marcella Gabarra, it asks whether microbiome claims for cosmetics are scientifically or legally feasible yet.

The skin microbiome is a topic of great interest to the cosmetic industry and many discussions, regarding the influence of cosmetic products on the microbiome in the skin, have been conducted over the past few years. In this month’s edition of Personal Care Magazine, Dr Ernesta Malinauskyte and Dr Marcella Gabarra investigate the published evidence on the influence of cosmetics on the skin microbiome and how specific treatments can modulate balance of bacteria and fungi on the skin surface and improve skin condition. Their literature review shows that evidence can be confusing and contradictory. The review also demonstrates that the legal issues around microbiome claims, in both the EU and US, are still complex.

Ernesta and Marcella conclude that claims regarding the skin microbiome will continue to be challenging for a while longer. However, they expect that the intense research being undertaken at present in our industry will soon identify a clearer path for the development of microbiome claims.

For now it is written; To do or not to do; that is the Question.

Efficacy of Natural Cosmetic Ingredients

What makes an effective natural ingredient that is suitable for cosmetic applications? Dr Marcella Gabbara from TRI gave an very detailed answer to this question last month at an on-line seminar hosted by the International Society of Phytocosmetic Science (ISPS)

Dr Gabarra’s extensive review of the current literature revealed that natural products can offer multiple benefits, including skin antioxidant effects, skin hydration, skin UV protection, skin anti-aging, skin oiliness control, skin penetration enhancement, modulation of hair growth, skin lightening and hand hygiene. In the presentation, Dr Gabarra shared data from some of her own research on Guarana extract, a popular ingredient for cosmetics and for soft drinks.

Dr Gabarra pointed-out that it is essential to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of natural ingredients before using them in cosmetic products. Furthermore, due attention has to be paid to cosmetic claims regulations, since many natural ingredients could be classified as drugs.

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A copy of the presentation can be found in the TRI Library

Library members and TRI Member Companies can download the slides.

Principles of Skin Measurement Science- Going Live Soon!

The very popular TRI course on the “PRINCIPLES OF SKIN MEASUREMENT SCIENCE” will be back in the Fall, but this time it will be 100% on-line and available all around the world! The course will run live from 8:45 am – 1:15 pm (ET) on October 27th, 28th and 29th.

The PRINCIPLES OF SKIN MEASUREMENT SCIENCE is a course designed for graduate and post-graduate level cosmetic scientists who need to build their knowledge of measurement techniques used in the development of new skin products and best practice in experimental design and claims substantiation.

This year, in additional to the high-quality training lectures, each day the course will feature keynote presentations. For example, on Day One, Dr Samuel Gourion-Arsiquaud, TRI’s Director of Skin and Biosubstrates Research and renowned world expert on spectroscopy, will speak about the use of vibrational spectroscopies in skin research. On Day Three Dr Gary Gove, VP Research & Development, CyberDERM Inc, and a founding member of the International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin (ISBS), will speak about mechanical testing on the skin.

The full course agenda can be viewed on the TRI Website here. For further details and for registration, please visit the course registration website here. Signed certificates will be available at the end on the course for your CPD and training records.

Registration costs $250. 10% Early-Bird discounts will apply until the end of September. Further, large discounts are also available for groups and TRI Member Companies. Please contact us for further details.