What does it mean when a beauty product is "clinically proven"? Neostrata, which develops skin care lines conducts clinical trials to support product effectiveness and user safety. After a "benefit" ingredient is considered safe and effective, it is formulated into a product. In the lab, researchers work to make sure the benefit ingredient has a long shelf life and that it is pleasing to use. Ronni Weinkauf, Ph.D., says, "There's a lot of benefit ingredients and then there's a lot of formulation vehicle ingredients designed to help make sure that the formula is stable, it stays as as an emulsion and to make sure that the emulsion delivers some very nice sensory properties, meaning softening and smoothing to the skin." After trial and error, the product is ready for the clinical lab where would-be consumers provide their opinions on its quality before it goes out on store shelves.