ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The goal of product testing is to ensure that consumer products are free of irritant potential and to prevent unexpected consumer reactions to the product once it reaches the marketplace. It is not uncommon, nonetheless, for postmarketing surveillance efforts to receive reports of sensory perceptions not predicted by even the most robust methodology (1). These sensory perceptions, though often transient and not accompanied by a visual dermatological response in rigorous experimental testing, strongly inuence consumer product preference (1). In fact, 78% of consumers who profess sensitive skin report avoiding some products because of unpleasant sensory effects associated with their use (2).
