Ever wondered how your favourite Ultraceuticals products are developed? Before they hit your bathroom shelf, each and every product undergoes extensive consumer and industry testing to ensure they deliver powerful results - every single time.
A huge part of this testing involves our clinical trials; a critical process that ensures the efficacy and safety of all our products and treatments.
Intrigued? We tapped Jessica Nichols, qualified esthetician, experienced clinic manager and educator responsible for our incredible clinical trials. Here, she gives us an insider peek at how she gets our products ready for launch.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My workdays are a whirlwind of activity, and that's exactly how I like it! Each day brings a fresh set of tasks, from recruiting participants for our upcoming trials to performing skin assessments and facial treatments and analysing our before and after photos.
Walk us through the clinical testing process.
There’s a lot involved in our clinical trials, but I'll give you the lowdown. Our clinical trials are performed at Ultra HQ so excitingly I get to welcome our panelists to our clinic and analyse their skin prior to the trial for assessment. This is done using our (brand new, state-of-the-art) VISIA machine - the first of its kind in Australia.
I focus heavily on recruiting the right faces; starting with a group of panelists for a 30-day testing period. The results of this determine whether we proceed to a 90-day trial or go back to the drawing board (which we are not afraid to do).
Alongside this, I run a trial combining Ultra homecare and professional treatments to analyse how they work together in synergy. Once both trials are complete, I delve deep into the results and present all findings to our founder and leadership team.
How do you determine whether a trial is successful?
Several factors - each are carefully considered and evaluated throughout the entire process. My main focus is on how well the active ingredients address specific skin issues, like reducing pigmentation, combating acne, or hydrating dry skin.
The 30-day mark is the most crucial where I consider both objective data, like before and after images, and subjective feedback from panelists through surveys. These insights together give a clear picture of the products' effectiveness and whether or not it’s going to become a successful trial and a future launch.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
I love capturing the final photos of our panelists at the end of each trial as I get to be the first to witness the results of our powerful products and treatments. It’s wonderful to work with real people and be part of the joy they feel when the product has transformed their skin.
Do you have a favourite trial that you worked on?
Our new formulation of the cult-classic Ultra Brightening Serum (out now by the way). The new formulation is next level and the results I witnessed over the 90-day trial were just phenomenal. One panelist in particular really stood out for me; I was in awe of her transformation. By the end of the trial period, she was practically glowing with confidence. Her pigmentation had visibly reduced, and her complexion appeared more radiant and even toned.
It's moments like these that remind me why I’m so passionate about what I do and why I work for such an incredible brand like Ultraceuticals whose products have the power to make a real difference in people's lives.
Can you share a teaser as to what you’re currently trialing?
I would love to, but it’s top secret. Keep your eyes peeled.
