Therapeutic area · Cosmetics and skincareUpdated September 29, 2026

Software for cosmetic and skincare claims studies

A claim like "visibly reduces wrinkles in 4 weeks" or "92% said their skin felt more hydrated" needs evidence that holds up. Capture collects consumer perception questionnaires, expert grading and instrumental measurements in one study with a complete audit trail.

  • Perception questionnaires on phones
  • Expert grading forms
  • Instrument readings with conditions

Free sandbox · No credit card · 21 CFR Part 11 aligned

Claims summary · Hydrating serum, Day 28

Panellists completed

32 / 33

Agree skin feels more hydrated

91%

Hydration change (instrument)

+24%

Skin feels softer88/100
Skin looks smoother78/100
Absorbs quickly84/100
Illustrative results from coded answers

What matters in claims studies

  • In the EU, cosmetic claims must meet common criteria set out in regulation, including evidential support: claims must be backed by adequate, verifiable evidence.
  • In the US, advertising claims need competent and reliable substantiation under FTC principles.
  • Studies combine consumer perception (self-assessment questionnaires), expert grading (for example by a dermatologist) and instrumental measurements (hydration, transepidermal water loss, elasticity, colour, imaging).
  • Instrumental measurements depend on standardised conditions: acclimatisation in a controlled room, consistent measurement sites and timing relative to product application.
  • Safety claims such as "dermatologically tested" need their own studies, such as repeat insult patch testing under dermatological supervision.

Study design

Claims come from the questions you ask

Every perception claim traces back to a questionnaire item and a response scale. "92% agree" is only defensible if the question was neutral, the scale was balanced, the population matched the claim and the percentage was calculated from the pre-specified responses. Designing the questionnaire from the intended claims, with a statistician, avoids claims that cannot be supported.

Instrumental claims depend on measurement discipline. Panellists typically rest in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room before measurements, sites on the face or forearm are marked, and readings are repeated. Recording the room conditions, acclimatisation time and time since application next to each reading makes the result auditable.

Timing

Many claims are time-bound: "instantly", "after 1 hour", "in 4 weeks". Schedule assessments to match the claims exactly, with windows narrow enough to support them, and record the actual time of each assessment.

Evening diary

Question 3 of 8

How would you rate your fatigue today?

0 = no fatigue, 10 = worst imaginable

012345678910
Add a photo (optional)
BackNext
● Answers saved as they go

Consumer perception

Questionnaires completed at home, on schedule

Panellists answer perception questionnaires on their own phone from a secure link, with no app. Linear scales, single-choice agreement scales and free text are all available, answers are coded for analysis, and windows keep completion on the right day for time-bound claims.

  • Ten question types, including linear scales.
  • Windows for time-bound claims.
  • Coded answers and labels in exports.
How to design a questionnaire
Number
Scale
Slider
Date
Date and time
Free text
Single choice
Multiple choice
Dropdown
Yes / No
Haematology (table section)
AnalyteResultUnitRef. range
Haemoglobin13.8g/dL13.0 to 17.0
White blood cells6.210^9/L4.0 to 10.0
Platelets41210^9/L150 to 400

Instrumental data

Readings with the conditions that make them valid

Instrument readings are numeric site fields with units and range checks, recorded next to room temperature, humidity, acclimatisation time and time since application. Expert grading uses its own site form. Every value has a field-level audit trail, so the evidence behind each claim can be reviewed.

  • Numeric fields with units and range checks.
  • Measurement conditions recorded.
  • Field-level audit trail.
Audit trail software
Vital signs · Systolic blood pressure

Edit checks / auto-queries

2
Auto-query

Type

Range High

Operator

Greater than

Value

180

Priority: High

Auto-query

Type

Range Low

Operator

Less than

Value

80

Priority: Normal

Query raised automatically

Value 192 violates limit (180). Please verify.

Build a perception questionnaire from your claims

Draft it in the free sandbox and test it on your phone.

Build your claims study free

Methods

Claim types and the evidence behind them

Claim typeTypical evidence
HydrationSkin capacitance readings, transepidermal water loss, perception questionnaire
Anti-wrinkle, firmnessImage analysis, elasticity measurements, expert grading
Radiance, even toneColorimetry, standardised imaging, perception questionnaire
Sensory (texture, absorption)Perception questionnaire, trained sensory panel
Tolerance, "dermatologically tested"Supervised use studies, patch testing

Study build

Claims study build checklist

Claims listed first

Each claim mapped to an endpoint and question.

Neutral questionnaire

Balanced scales, pre-specified percentages.

Measurement conditions

Acclimatisation, room conditions and timing fields.

Time points

Matching the time-bound claims.

Panel profile

Inclusion criteria matching the claimed population.

Consent and safety

Consent and adverse reaction recording.

FAQ

Questions teams ask before they switch

Something not covered here? Ask us directly.

Can instrument readings be verified?

Source data verification can be set per field, and every value has a field-level audit trail.

Can one study support several claims?

Yes, if each claim maps to a pre-specified endpoint and the population and timing match the claim.

What evidence do cosmetic claims need?

In the EU, claims must meet common criteria including evidential support. In the US, advertising claims need competent and reliable substantiation.

What types of data do claims studies collect?

Consumer perception questionnaires, expert grading and instrumental measurements, depending on the claims.

Why record acclimatisation and room conditions?

Skin measurements vary with temperature and humidity, so the conditions are needed to interpret and audit the readings.

Can panellists complete questionnaires at home?

Yes, on their own phone from a secure link, with windows and reminders.

Is a claims study a clinical trial?

Cosmetic studies are usually not regulated as clinical trials of medicines, but they still need ethics, consent and reliable data.

Can I try it free?

Yes, in the free sandbox with every feature.

Claims backed by evidence you can show

Perception, grading and instruments in one study. Free sandbox.

Build your claims study free