The human face is one of the most salient regions of the body surface. Ratings of facial attractiveness, as well as judgements of a person’s age, are influenced by the appearance of facial skin (not to mention the presence/absence of wrinkles). Unsurprisingly, many consumers spend huge amounts of money on trying to protect, maintain, and/or enhance their facial appearance. As highlighted by the evidence presented in this talk, both the skin and the cosmetic products that many consumers use are fundamentally multisensory in nature. The complex interaction between the particular skin site stimulated and the multisensory attributes of the product (e.g., when it is applied) can exert a number of effects on an individual’s mood, their emotions, as well as on their self-perception (and self-confidence), over-and-above any functional effects that the cream or lotion may have on the skin itself. In this talk review, the literature on the multisensory perception of facial skin is summarized and critically evaluated. Multisensory interactions taking place between the cosmetic product, its packaging, as well as its use/application at the sensory, cognitive, and emotional levels are all discussed.

In this talk I will discuss the current state of the art in measuring the benefits of cosmetic products in clinical studies. I will discuss the latest advanced instrumentation being used to collect data to understand how skin behaves and responds to products and how advanced image analysis and AI supported processes are enhancing our ability to evaluate skin. I will also discuss the exciting opportunities brought by molecular biology, proteomics and lipidomics and how they can be routinely incorporated into clinical studies to reveal not only how skin is functioning, but also how products or the environment are altering the function at the molecular level. These new insights provide new targets for actives research, or new strategies for improving skin for consumer benefits. We are entering an exciting new age where we can prove in vivo the things that only previously could be demonstrated in cell culture models. I will try to illustrate why this presents such an exciting opportunity for our industry to develop the next generation of innovative products that will bring new consumer benefits.