Synopsis

In a world where consumers demand both authenticity and relevance, the role of sensory and consumer science is rapidly evolving. This keynote will clarify what sensory and consumer claims are—and how they differ from performance and functional claims—while highlighting their growing strategic value in the cosmetic industry. Sensory claims in particular offer a more intuitive and emotionally resonant path to connect with consumers, bridging the gap between product experience and brand promise.

Looking ahead, the future of sensory lies in engaging the right consumers -those who bring quality, diversity, and depth to data. Advances such as psychographic profiling and more inclusive testing approaches are reshaping how we collect and interpret sensory data. New methods of engagement, including gamification and contextual testing, encourage more truthful, behaviorally anchored responses, and foster a stronger sense of participant inclusion.

This talk will also explore how AI is transforming the Sensory and Consumer research landscape -from participant targeting to data interpretation- and how cross-category sensory experiences (e.g., food influencing non-food perception) are opening new frontiers. As cosmetic scientists, embracing these shifts will be key to designing meaningful, transparent, and differentiating sensory claims in the years ahead.