ABSTRACT
Most methods for testing the potential skin effects of consumer products rely on an objective evaluation of how the product affects the appearance of the skin, that is, erythema, as scored on a predened numerical scale. In contrast, the end points that consumers typically describe are subjective in nature and are an evaluation of the sensations the product causes them to experience, that is, itchy, dry, rough, tight, etc. Even though these subjective sensory effects are the end points reported by the consumer and, therefore, arguably the most important, a few test methods incorporate a means to leverage these end points.
