Dr Tony Rawlings

An independent consultant to the cosmetics industry, and recognised as one of the world's leading authorities in skin research, explains: "To meet consumer needs and to deliver perceivable benefits to skin, cosmetic companies engage in scientific activities which are multidisciplinary and - depending upon the precise company - can be extensive. This ranges from the biological understanding of the skin through to formulation science."

The ageing process

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, covering its entire surface area and accounting for around 16% of our body weight. It acts a tough, multiple-layer physical barrier protecting us from damage, infection and drying out. As we age, the number of collagen and elastic fibres, in a layer known as the dermis, decreases; as a result, the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag and wrinkle. Skin ageing, however, is more than just creases in its surface. Over the years, the skin's colour and texture also alter – deeper signs of the ageing process at work.
Science has provided us with a number of measures that help to halt these changes. These include protecting the skin from the Sun, as its damaging ultraviolet rays are well-known to contribute to severe premature ageing; and to abstain from smoking, which - among a multitude of negative impacts on one's body - also accelerates skin ageing. But science has also provided us with a number of compounds that may lessen the effects associated with getting old. There is in fact much research going on in the field, with a number of scientists devoting their lives to uncovering the secrets behind fine-looking skin.
One such scientist is Dr Paul Matts, a Research Fellow in Research and Development for Health and Beauty Care products at Procter and Gamble, who has been involved in skin-care research and development for the past 17 years. He has worked on fundamental skin research, the development of new methods to measure the characteristics of skin and is currently working closely with development teams to identify new technologies with the eventual aim of bringing technical data to life.

The Science of Skin Care

Standing in front of the mirror gazing at her reflection, she goes on to carry out her daily beauty regime as "cleanse, tone and moisturize" echo within her mind. After twenty years she continues in her attempt to wipe away those fine lines, instil elasticity, illuminate her complexion - this, a means to turn back the hands of time, recapture her youth.
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This young lady is not alone. Millions of women (and men!) worldwide, encouraged by the extensive realm of advertising, take those precise steps, longing to lessen the effects of ageing. They've been convinced that 'pentapeptides,' 'Nutrileum' and 'Boswelox' hold the key to all of one's beauty worries. However, there are an equal number of sceptics out there who, to put it politely, consider skin-cream science to be nothing but a load of waffle.
I must admit that I until rather recently sided with the latter group. Seriously, what are these pentapeptides? What can Nutrileum actually do to make me look younger? Will a daily application of Boswelox in truth stimulate Wrinkle De-Crease? Can I really get flawless celebrity skin for 20 pounds or 30 dollars? I mean, it's hardly a celebrity price tag.
It's no wonder that people are cynical of such products after they've been subjected to the excessive overuse of overtly scientific terms. In my opinion, this is where the problem lies. It's the advertising industry's hype of such products that connotes them as lacking a scientific basis.
But as I've looked into the claims, I've found that they are based on pure science. They really are.