The new study, published in peer-reviewed Archives of Dermatology (JAMA Network - USA), was developed with Data Mining International to confirm that cosmetic products and good physical appearance significantly improve Quality of Life (QOL).
"The positive impact of cosmetics on self-esteem and well-being has been well-known since the Antique period, but this is the first time we are able to scientifically measure this impact on the key dimensions of Quality of Life,” says Dr Ariel Beresniak, CEO of Data Mining International.
“This new instrument will allow numerous comparative research according to populations, products and situations".
Measured
The ‘BeautyQol’ tool has been tested on 3231 subjects confirming the validity and reliability of the measure in 13 countries in the world representing 16 languages: France, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Russia, USA, Brazil, Japan, India (Hindi and Indian English) China and South Africa (Zulu, Sotho and South-African English).
It provides one overall QOL score, as well as five sub-scores according to five key dimensions of QOL: Social life, Self-confidence, Mood, Energy and Attractiveness.
By measuring how much cosmetic products improve QOL, BeautyQol allows to evaluate how much they also improve general health, according to the World Health Organization definition of health: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".
Bright future
Pilot application studies have been carried out to assess the impact in QOL of pigmentary disorders, camouflage products, oily skins, hair colour, and nmake up.
"This research will allow a growing body of evidence about the value of cosmetic products,” adds co-author of the study, Yolaine de Linares, director of Social and Innovation Prospective Research at L'Oréal.
De Linares says that BeautyQol is expected to become a gold standard in perceived effectiveness assessment, once it has been adapted to more countries in order to better assess cultural differences in the use of cosmetic products.