During the development of our formulations, I had only one mantra in mind….’Function First’. The aim was to create an age defence skincare range that actually works! A skincare range that visibly improves skin health.
After many years of research and development the formulations finally took shape. We knew we had a good thing here as the formulations had some wonderful ingredients that were skillfully blended together to create the skincare range that we have today.
Every time we spoke to people about the great ingredients in our products, they were mighty impressed, even though the details of the scientific data often flew above their heads! This was sometimes frustrating but a reality. We wanted to find a way to get our message across in the shortest possible time but in a clear manner. It then dawned upon us that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’!
In the spring of 2009, we got together and decided to take our products for a ‘test drive’. This was a time of great excitement as well as high anxiety especially for me, as we knew that even though we had great products in theory with scientific data to back up the efficacy of the main active ingredients, it was still all theory for the finished product.
To test the finished products in a study was like venturing into unknown territory, not knowing if the results would be for us or against us. After much thought we decided to go ahead with the study, as it would once and for all prove if the formulations that were so painstakingly developed were effective only in theory or effective in real life as well. This was something that was important for us to know.
So we bit the bullet and started making preparations for the study to begin in the summer of 2009. We wanted women from the age group of 30 years onwards, who were willing to give up their existing skincare regime and use only our products during the study period which would last a few months. The aim of the study was to take a ‘before’ and a series of ‘after’ photos at 6 weeks interval, so as to see the visible changes in the facial skin while using our product over a period of a few months
We were really fortunate that we had 4 lovely ladies in the UK of different age groups that volunteered to participate in our study. The study began on 4th June 2009.
For the study we commissioned an independent photo studio to take the before and after photos. The reason for using an independent photo studio was to have a professional photographer take the photos with a professional camera in a proper studio setting. And also to make sure that things such as lighting, candidate distance & position, and camera settings would be kept as consistent as possible for each photo shoot during the study period. For each photo session, the candidates had to wash off all makeup, pull back their hair with a hair band, remain still and not smile. They have been brilliant as they have followed all instructions given to them, and none of them have ever missed a photo session.
The results for each candidate can be seen in the following postings in this (Case Studies) category. Both the candidates and we were really pleased with the results. The results have far exceeded our expectations.
In 2010 we will do another study to include women and men of varying age groups and skin types. So watch this space ……
Thank you.
Dr Tuhin Dev.
References:
1. The above image is from www.dreamstime.com