QIMA Life Sciences has introduced SQINGEVITY, a platform designed to integrate biological testing and clinical studies to evaluate claims about skin and hair aging. As the beauty industry increasingly promotes products aimed at achieving younger-looking skin, there is growing demand for scientific validation of these claims.
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SQINGEVITY was launched at Cosmetic 360 in Paris and aims to trace active ingredients from laboratory studies to real-world applications involving human volunteers. This approach connects laboratory findings with measurable outcomes on skin and hair, allowing for more credible claims from cosmetic companies and nutraceutical manufacturers.
The launch reflects a shift towards incorporating geroscience into the beauty industry, aiming for a research and testing framework that links cellular mechanisms to clinical evidence. This evolution suggests that the industry is beginning to prioritize scientific proof over mere marketing promises.
Alain Moga, Head of Dermo-cosmetics at QIMA Life Sciences, described SQINGEVITY as an integrated service that transitions from mechanistic hypotheses to clinical proof, backed by 12 expert centers. For manufacturers, having a single research partner to guide product development through various stages may streamline the process.
One key feature of SQINGEVITY is the Longevity SCORE, developed at QIMA's Créteil laboratory. This score evaluates protein carbonylation in human skin samples, quantifying molecular damage linked to aging on a scale from zero to 100. While this measurement offers biological relevance, it cannot alone confirm that a product extends skin longevity.
The SQINGEVITY platform also emphasizes the importance of function over mere appearance. While superficial results may attract consumers, true effectiveness must be validated through rigorous testing and longitudinal studies that track changes over time.
QIMA's network of laboratories spans Europe, Brazil, India, and Mauritius, enabling multicenter studies that can include diverse ethnicities and skin types. This breadth is crucial as variations in skin aging due to environmental exposure and pigmentation could affect the generalizability of findings.
Currently, there is no standardized definition for skin longevity or consensus on how it should be measured. While European regulations mandate that cosmetic claims be substantiated by verifiable evidence, specific guidelines on aging indicators are still lacking. As contract research organizations like QIMA contribute to establishing these standards, the industry will be keenly observing who gets involved in the discussions that shape future regulations.