Slow Âge tested in real life conditions

Slow Âge tested in real life conditions
Slow Âge tested in real life conditions

Dermatologist Sabine Laquieze led the cosmetic testing of Vichy’s new Slow Âge range. We asked her a few questions about how it was created and its efficacy ensured.

Q: Slow Age underwent unprecedented testing. Can you tell us more?

A: Vichy measured the effectiveness of the Slow Âge product by comparing the results with women using regular skincare. This is the first time we’ve done this at Vichy.

Q: What was the reasoning behind this clinical study? How did the idea evolve?

A: The idea was to demonstrate the product’s effectiveness in real life conditions, with real women, rather than just lab tests.

Q: What was the purpose of the testing format?

A: The goal was to have two clinically identical groups, subject to nine exposome factors (external variables, such as UV, pollution, tobacco or climate and internal variables such as fatigue, stress, emotion, eating habits and sleep) and in particular, that the two groups received the same UVA exposure. As they were perfectly matched, the comparisons were valid.

Q: How many women participated in this test, and under what conditions?

A: 120 women took part, divided into two groups. One group used Slow Âge and the others continued with their usual skincare. I interviewed the women during the recruitment phase to check clinical suitability criteria, with a lifestyle questionnaire on environmental and emotional factors. The selected women were given a UV sensor bracelet, and returned every 15 days for UVA measurement readings. The study lasted two months and clinical evaluations were initially taken when testing began, and then at the end of each month.

Q: Why was it so vital to measure the impact of UV?

A: All the evidence shows that UV is responsible for up to 80% of skin ageing, so we needed to ensure that each woman tested was exposed to a similar amount. In this case an exposure-monitoring UV bracelet was the only way to maintain the rigorous test conditions of a laboratory in a real life environment.

Q: Can you reveal some of the study's results?

A: We found that when compared with the group following their usual skincare regime, the Slow Âge group saw a stronger reduction in the appearance of dark spots, cheek wrinkles, loss of plumpness and pore visibility. Overall, the vast majority from the group using the Slow Âge product reported that their skin felt more comforrable (87%), smoother (87%) and brighter (81%) 98% reported that their skin had become softer, 83% that their skin had become healthier looking and 71% that their skin felt stronger stronger.