In-vivo Skin Testing
Information for Companies
Our in vivo skin testing utilises non-invasive Courage + Khazaka skin probes to determine measurements of skin such as elasticity, moisturisation, wrinkle measurement, skin barrier efficacy and skin sebum/oil production.
The Centre for Applied Bioscience Research has a reserve panel of approximately 100 volunteers that can be involved in efficacy testing of cosmetic products. Studies range from 24 hours to 4 weeks, depending on company requirements, end point measures required and products tested.If you would like to become part of our volunteer panel, please contact us.
The benefits to the company are the ability to market their product’s efficacy using scientifically proven, quantitative data and ensuring compliance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 655/2013.
Read more here:
Information for Cosmetics Panel Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) is a commercially focused, state-of-the-art research centre. It is a collaboration between Munster Technological University (MTU) and Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS).
At MTU Kerry Campus, CABR possesses a specialised Cosmetic Product Validation facility. It is through this testing facility that they support the development of new and innovative cosmetic companies and well-established companies looking to develop and improve their existing ranges by validating their efficacy claims.
Volunteering to become a panellist will allow you to either try the latest in cosmetic care before it reaches the market or try innovative brands that are already on the market.
Studies of this nature require the participation of dedicated and dependable volunteers. Your participation helps us to determine the efficacy of new product formulations and assign suitable claims to such products.
A claim is the industry term for a promise a cosmetic product makes. These claims are often for marketing purposes and often appear on product packaging to attract consumers. Our work ensures that these claims are truly validated, for example, 30% more moisturised skin and anti-ageing.
As a panellist, you will be invited to participate in upcoming studies. Should you wish to, you will be asked to come to our facility for a predetermined period of time to take part in the study. Some studies may take 20 minutes of your time over 24 hours; some may take longer, up to one visit per week for 12 weeks (30 minutes’ duration). You may also be asked to participate in a home study where you will be given a product to assess as part of your daily routine. You will then be asked to fill out a questionnaire on the product’s feel and performance.
In order to participate in one of our studies, simply follow these steps:
- Read our MTU Data Protection Policy.
- Register with us by filling out our online application form.
- CABR will contact you about joining our Reserve Panel.
- Once on the Reserve Panel, we will contact you regarding skin studies that you may be eligible to take part in.
A study is research designed to determine the efficacy of a product and validate its claims. For example, anti-ageing eye cream may reduce crow’s feet by 25%. We measure such parameters using non-invasive skin probes.
Yes. Panellist safety is a top priority for CABR. All products undergo a rigorous safety assessment and are supplied to CABR with a Safety Certificate. All products therefore fully comply with the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and GMP requirements (ISO 22716 or equivalent). All studies you take part in are performed under strict control and under the appropriate EU guidelines and are ethically approved.
Yes. Our protocols are reviewed ethically, medically and for safety. For individual studies, all aspects of health and safety will be indicated before commencement of the study.
Studies vary in the length of time the panellist must spend on site (from 1 hour to 1 day), the overall duration of the study (from days to weeks), and the number of times the panellist will have to attend the test site during the study.
Anyone who fits the criteria to apply (over 18), is male or female, is in good health and lives near to or has easy access to the MTU Kerry Campus. We would love to hear from you.
Participants will receive reimbursement for the studies that they are involved in. The amount of time required of the participant and the reimbursement for recognition of inconvenience will be clearly outlined before the commencement of the study. This will only be provided to those who fully and successfully complete the study.
No side effects are expected from any of the products as they are all certified safe before efficacy testing. However, if you notice any irritation, please contact CABR and stop using the product immediately.
All the testing will take place at the CABR Cosmetic Product Validation suite in the MTU Kerry South Campus, Clash Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
It is your right to withdraw from any study at any time; however, this may affect your reimbursement. Also, you may not be considered for future studies.
CABR does not conduct animal testing on the sample products and does not carry out efficacy testing on products that have conducted animal testing nor those that have commissioned animal testing for their products’ ingredients.
Any information provided by you will be treated in the strictest confidence and in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and 2003 (Amendment). All your information will be provided to CABR through a fully encrypted webpage questionnaire and will be stored on our on-site password-protected database. Please see our Data Protection Policy for more information.
We use non-invasive skin probes to measure parameters such as skin elasticity, moisturisation, skin barrier efficacy and oiliness. We also use a replica-producing and imagery method to determine the severity of pronounced wrinkles such as crow’s feet. All probes are safe and do not hurt or break the skin. The comfort of the participant is a top priority.
If you require any further information, please contact CABR at: VolunteersCABR@mtu.ie
Join the Cosmetics Panel of volunteers
If you would like to join CABR’s Panel of volunteers for cosmetic product validation studies, feel free to fill out the form below.
Note: The cosmetic product validation studies are taking place in CABR laboratories based at Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry, Tralee.