Deodourant efficacy testing facilities in France, Spain and India, allowing intercultural sensory testing (of identical products) under standardised quality management and repeatable test conditions.
The Challenge
- To test the in-vivo antiperspirant and deodorant efficacy of antiperspirant products in order to substantiate efficacy claims.
- The whole range of client’s products has been tested including sprays, creams, aerosols and roll-ons.
Our strategy
- Each product has been tested against the corresponding placebo (i.e. similar to the test formulation without the active antiperspirant ingredient). Efficacy was evaluated 24- and 48-hours after 5th product application. A total of 30 people satisfying the eligibility/exclusion criteria have been enrolled for this test.
Testing protocol
ANTIPERSPIRANT EFFICACY TESTING: Gravimetric measurements of axillary sweat rate have been used to quantify antiperspirant efficacy, according to FDA guidelines 21 CFR 350.60. Absorbent pads have been used to collect sweat during the collection period (4 hours). Test has been conducted under ambient conditions, meaning subjects were allowed to go about their normal daily routines during the collection period.
DEODORANT EFFICACY TESTING: Deodourant efficacy was assessed by quantifying sweat odour intensity according to ASTM 1207-14 standard. Malodour intensity has been evaluated by indirect sniffing using a panel of 6 selected and trained sniffers.
TEST PROCEDURE:
Each test lasted 25 days. The testing period was divided into different phases:
WHITE STAINS QUANTIFICATION: additionally, quantification of white stains transferred on textile has been performed using an internal method relying on image analysis.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Graphical representation (Box plots) of descriptive statistics have been generated. Antiperspirant efficacy has been evaluated using adjusted right-to-left ratio and one-sided Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with a significance level of alpha=0,05 as recommended in FDA guidelines. For deodorant efficacy, one side hypothesis Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test has been performed to conclude whether a significant difference in sweat odour intensity exists or not between Test product and Placebo (significance level alpha=0,05).
Results
The results of this controlled study demonstrated, upon statistical evidence, that the TEST PRODUCT:
- Brings significant standard* and extra** antiperspirant efficacy 24 and 48 hours after last product application,
- Brings significant deodorant efficacy 24 hours and 48 hours after last product application.
- Does not leave white stains on textile after normal use application.
Benefits
This protocol allowed the evaluation of antiperspirant and deodorant efficacy at the same time reducing considerably the time needed to generate support data for claim substantiation.
The data generated helped the client to scientifically support the antiperspirant and deodorant efficacy claims as well as “no white stain” claims mentioned in product artwork.
