There is no such thing as a "cheap study" - only expensive mistakes.
In an era where the beauty industry values speed and novelty,
Cosmetic Claims
&
The Myth of the Cheap Study: Why Compliance Isn't Optional and the Financial Truths Behind Safe Credible Cosmetics
offers a steadfast examination of what truly lies beneath cosmetic testing. This vital work exposes the false economies that tempt brands to cut corners, showing how underfunded or poorly designed studies not only jeopardise safety and credibility but also diminish consumer trust and investor confidence.
Drawing on real-world insights from regulatory, scientific, and financial sectors, the book dispels the myth that testing is merely a cost. Instead, it demonstrates that compliance is strategic, not bureaucratic. Each chapter connects ethical science, financial responsibility, and the sustainable future of beauty as a credible industry. From understanding the psychology behind the "cheap launch" mentality to exploring the structural pressures that promote pseudoscience, the book examines the complex ecosystem shaping today's cosmetic market. Readers will learn:
Why non-compliance costs more than compliance - in terms of finance, reputation, and ethics.
How investors' short-term goals encourage unsafe shortcuts and false claims.
What distinguishes credible clinical research firms from substandard testing companies.
How transparency, data sharing, and scientific infrastructure can rebuild public trust.
Why rigorous testing is not an obstacle to creativity but a framework for responsible innovation.
The Myth of the Cheap Study,
the follow-up companion to
Help! I'm Covered in Adjectives: Cosmetic Claims & The Consumer,
challenges brands and investors to reconsider what "value" truly means in an industry driven by evidence. It convincingly argues that scientific validation is not an adversary to creativity - it is its most reliable partner.
Connecting commerce, compliance, and conscience, this book advocates for a cultural shift: from marketing illusion to scientific integrity, from "launch-first" to "design-to-validate." It calls for collective responsibility in safeguarding consumers, encouraging responsible investment, and strengthening the scientific foundation of modern beauty.
Whether you are an indie brand founder, investor, regulatory expert, or academic, this book will alter your perspective on testing, compliance, and truth in cosmetics.