The sensory effect of applying an innovative cream

The client

Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (LMC) is part of Clariant, a global leader in specialty chemicals. LMC develops, manufactures, and markets innovative ingredients for the cosmetics and personal care industry.

The challenge

We tested the sensory and affective effects of their Pickmulse™ skin cream on well-being. Does the film residue left by the cosmetic texture positively affect tactile perception of the skin, and does it enhance the perceived pleasantness of touch?

The solution

Twenty healthy female participants between 18 and 45 years old took part in the study. The fMRI session lasted 30 minutes and included three experimental conditions: no cream (control), massage with a perfume-free LMC cream containing a quinoa

starch functional ingredient (Cream A), and massage with the same perfume-free benchmark cream without the functional ingredient (Cream B). Each condition was applied in a randomized order, with each phase lasting 9 minutes.

20

female participants

18 - 45

age of participants

3

creams tested

The results

Tactile stimulation with the quinoa starch functional ingredient enhanced somatosensory responses and activated brain regions linked to reward and emotional valuation, while also engaging prefrontal areas for higher-order cognitive appraisal.

These results show how subtle component properties shape the perception of touch. Born from cutting-edge R&D, Pickmulse™ combines quinoa-based technology with neuroscience-driven innovation.