08.22.18
The dermatologist led SkinTRUST Society has rolled out a new global standard that it contends empowers consumers to make medically sound decisions about cosmetics and everyday skin care products.
The Houston-based group says that without regulatory or independent authorities providing unbiased, harmonized standards, consumers have no way to verify claims or determine if companies thoroughly test their products. This state of affairs prompted the Society to develop a comprehensive standard that requires robust product studies to substantiate both safety and efficacy.
According to the Society’s website, SkinTrust Certified is the first comprehensive global standard for cosmetics and everyday skin care products. The certification requires companies to submit robust safety and efficacy studies to substantiate their product claims.
The program is led by physicians, clinical research scientists, and educators who are brand-blind, and have the collective ability to objectively evaluate the entire breadth skin care products.
"We encourage people worldwide to join our movement by asking store-bought brands to submit their products to the SkinTRUST Society for certification," said Brundha Balaraman, M.D., founder of the Society. "It's time to take the guesswork out of product choices and take control of knowing if they've been adequately tested for safety and effectiveness"
The Society says safety and effectiveness will be required from the company, specific to a product’s characteristics and claims. All studies must comply with the SkinTrust Certified ethical and scientific standards.
Additionally, products will be reassessed annually to incorporate new medical or scientific data or to account for changes in product formulations.
The Society is led by an independent multi-disciplinary physician board comprised of dermatologists, allergists, immunologists, pediatricians, and clinical researchers who have no stake in any skin care brand. Board members are: Dr. Balaraman, Dr. Leonard Goldberg, Dr. Ajay Sheshadri, Dr.Christopher Urban, Dr. Ganesh Shanmugam, Dr. Katherine Moritz and Jacqueline Hauer.
The Houston-based group says that without regulatory or independent authorities providing unbiased, harmonized standards, consumers have no way to verify claims or determine if companies thoroughly test their products. This state of affairs prompted the Society to develop a comprehensive standard that requires robust product studies to substantiate both safety and efficacy.
According to the Society’s website, SkinTrust Certified is the first comprehensive global standard for cosmetics and everyday skin care products. The certification requires companies to submit robust safety and efficacy studies to substantiate their product claims.
The program is led by physicians, clinical research scientists, and educators who are brand-blind, and have the collective ability to objectively evaluate the entire breadth skin care products.
"We encourage people worldwide to join our movement by asking store-bought brands to submit their products to the SkinTRUST Society for certification," said Brundha Balaraman, M.D., founder of the Society. "It's time to take the guesswork out of product choices and take control of knowing if they've been adequately tested for safety and effectiveness"
The Society says safety and effectiveness will be required from the company, specific to a product’s characteristics and claims. All studies must comply with the SkinTrust Certified ethical and scientific standards.
Additionally, products will be reassessed annually to incorporate new medical or scientific data or to account for changes in product formulations.
The Society is led by an independent multi-disciplinary physician board comprised of dermatologists, allergists, immunologists, pediatricians, and clinical researchers who have no stake in any skin care brand. Board members are: Dr. Balaraman, Dr. Leonard Goldberg, Dr. Ajay Sheshadri, Dr.Christopher Urban, Dr. Ganesh Shanmugam, Dr. Katherine Moritz and Jacqueline Hauer.