From beauty gummies to collagen powders, the supplement and nutraceutical category is having a moment, with an exciting surge in growth and creativity. Consumers are seeking ingestibles to enhance their beauty and wellness routines, flocking to brands for products that promise to help promote glowing skin, strengthen hair and nails, support weight or sleep goals, aid digestion, boost energy and contribute to overall well-being. The FTC requires truthful advertising and adequate substantiation for all expressed and implied supplement claims — and takes action against brands that can’t provide that substantiation. Read about the FTC’s April 2023 actions here: Click here
An IHUT, or In-Home Use Test is a cost-effective way to test your supplements, vitamins, protein drinks, tinctures and more with your target consumers and validate your product claims. TBC’s proprietary IHUT product testing methodology follows ASTM standards for consumer perception studies. Following a clearly defined protocol, a relevant population of consumers from across the country are given your supplements to use at home (unlike a centralized location test). Then at regular intervals, panelists are asked to assess their perception of the supplement’s benefits to them. Tests can explore a number of elements from supplement tolerability, flavor, and dosage instructions, to competitive product preferences, and comparative performance metrics. IHUT testing is a powerful way to substantiate claims needed to mitigate regulatory and legal risk and a critical tool in providing your consumer with proof your supplements work.
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Twenty-one class action suits were brought against supplement companies in 2021, costing supplement makers as much as $15 million per case.
In April 2023, the FTC sent warning letters to 700 supplement and other companies challenging unsubstantiated health claims they made. Enforcement is expected to rise at high rates in line with the expected growth of the supplement industry.
In-home use testing (IHUT), also known as consumer use testing (CUT), involves sending either a prototype or a product that is conditionally approved for in-market commercialization and has undergone appropriate safety and stability testing to a defined panel of target consumers. This panel uses the product(s) – according to specific usage instructions – for a given time period, and then assesses their experiences with the product at various intervals throughout the trial. This type of product efficacy testing reveals hero claims as well as emotional connections to products and brands which is a valuable tool for any marketing team. IHUT testing also provides the brand with verified user testimonials and claims that may be used in the brand’s marketing efforts – in social, on packaging, online advertising, on-air, at point-of-sale and in other marketing initiatives.
would be more likely to purchase a product if the research results were visible (i.e. product pages, on packaging or at point of sale)
want brands to conduct consumer perception testing to prove products' effectiveness
IHUT testing is a powerful research tool that brands leverage to conduct efficacy testing, prototype testing, performance and preference testing, sensorial testing, competitive product preference testing, and use-up studies to name a few. TBC conducts IHUT testing on a plethora of beauty, personal care and wellness products, from hair care products, to skincare to body care to supplements.
would be more likely to purchase a product if the research results were visible to me (i.e. on product page or on the display)
state that not all supplements are created equal and consumer claims help differentiate one brand's product from another
TBC has conducted product efficacy testing for the largest brands in the business, as well as scores of Indie startups. Our unsurpassed knowledge of beauty and personal care consumers the claims that resonate with them, and our understanding of current cosmetics advertising regulations coupled with our proprietary methodologies and our renowned panel of 275K+ beauty and personal care buyers, are reasons why brands come back to us time and again.
We work with you to develop the right beauty product testing strategy, matching your product with the right potential buyer.
We send your products to our panelists all over the country.
Our panelist test and provide valuable feedback by completing customized on-line self-assessment claims surveys. The brand gets validated reviews and testimonials.
