For many of us, skincare works on a deeper level and is a catalyst for confidence, part of our identity, and wellbeing. At THG LABS, we partner with leading beauty brands to develop formulations that deliver both results and reassurance. This five-part series, inspired by Beautiful in Your Skin Month, explores the science behind skincare that supports self-esteem. 

Through the lens of innovation, formulation and consumer insight, our in-house experts unpack what it truly takes to develop skincare that helps people feel good in their skin and why the most empowering products start in the lab. 

First up is our Head of Product Innovation, Kristal Goodman, who believes our role as skincare manufacturers is to create beautiful formulations that deliver more than physical results. Here she explores the role products can play in restoring control, rebuilding trust, and helping people feel more at ease in their own skin. 

Why building better skincare starts with understanding the emotional weight skin can carry 

Clear, healthy-looking skin has long been associated with beauty ideals. However, the impact of skin health extends far beyond appearance.  Skincare has grown beyond routine to become a vital tool for emotional wellbeing, identity, and self-expression. When skin concerns are visible and persistent, from acne to redness, pigmentation and dryness, they often affect more than the surface. They impact how people show up in the world. 

THG LABS, as leading skincare manufacturers, believe great formulations should deliver more than physical results. They should restore control, rebuild trust, and help people feel more at ease in their own skin. 

Skin and Self-Esteem: The Emotional Undercurrent 

There is a well-documented psychological link between dermatological conditions and reduced confidence but, even among those without diagnosed skin conditions, the emotional relationship with skin runs deep. This aligns with our own observations: increasingly, consumers are associating the idea of “transformation” with stability, comfort, and reassurance. 

The Innovation Challenge: Developing with Empathy and Efficacy 

From an R&D perspective, this shift calls for more than ingredient expertise and our development phases benefit hugely from psychological insight. As formulation specialists, we are no longer only solving for the biological mechanisms of a skin concern; we’re also solving for how people feel in their skin. 

This means designing products that: 

• Provide early, visible improvements to help build momentum 
• Use sensorial triggers (like texture and scent) to reinforce a sense of control 
• Respect the integrity of the skin barrier which can be a key indicator of skin health 
• Align with diverse routines, tones, and tolerances 

We talk in the lab here about “Skin-Trust Formulation”. It means creating products that are not only safe and effective, but emotionally intelligent. Products that empower the user with gentle consistency rather than quick fixes.

Confidence and Compliance: A Positive Feedback Loop 

One of the most powerful, and often overlooked, tools in formulation science is the feedback loop between skin results and emotional engagement. When a user feels more confident, even before clinical changes appear, they are more likely to stick to the product, which leads to better long-term outcomes. 

We refer to this as emotional adherence. This means building formulations that feel good enough to want to use regularly, even during the early weeks before deeper transformation occurs. In that sense, we recognise that belief in a product’s efficacy is itself a powerful therapeutic tool. 

This means considering: 

• Early sensorial wins like instant softness, hydration and smoothness. 
• Packaging cues that signal quality and safety 
• Language that supports progress, not perfection 

When Science and Psychology Work Together 

As a full-service skincare manufacturer with dedicated R&D, regulatory, and innovation teams, THG LABS is uniquely positioned to support brands in developing products that meet both the functional needs of the skin and the emotional needs of the user. 

We work with our partners to: 

• Choose ingredients that are clinically validated and emotionally resonant 
• Design textures that align with the desired sensorial profile and skin concerns 
• Test across a diverse range of users to ensure tolerance, usability and emotional impact 
• Substantiate claims with both efficacy and experience in mind 

When consumers find a product that truly supports their skin AND their sense of self, the result is more than improved skin. It’s improved confidence, and that, for us, is the most meaningful result of all. 

Our cosmetic scientists and innovators believe confidence is something you can feel and formulate. By combining scientific rigour with emotional intelligence, we help our brand partners create products that support real skin journeys as opposed to idealised outcomes. 

In our next article, I will be sharing how sensory science shapes product experiences and strengthens brand loyalty, with insights into how texture, scent and feel can become powerful tools for emotional wellbeing. 

Want to discuss how your next skincare innovation could build more confidence from the inside out? Get in touch with our team. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristal Goodman 
Head of Product Innovation, THG LABS 

With over 25 years’ experience in the beauty industry and UK cosmetics manufacturing, Kristal Goodman has cultivated a unique blend of scientific expertise, creative vision, and strategic thinking to spearhead what are recognised as some of the beauty industry’s most much-loved, must-have products.  

In her role as the Head of Product Innovation, Kristal’s influence is best demonstrated in THG LABS dedication to pushing boundaries. She is the driving force behind the integration of upcycled ingredients, advanced biotechnology, and other impactful emergent global beauty trends that ensure THG LABS remains at the cutting-edge of beauty innovation. Her knowledge of actives and their benefits is encyclopaedic which fuels her talent for translating ingredient ideas and science into concepts that give each product a formula and a story consumers fall in love with.  for formulating sustainably

A member of THG LABS Eco Leadership Team and a devoted advocate, Kristal adopts a holistic approach to product development, believing that truly innovative beauty products are those that address the multifaceted needs of today’s consumers while better respecting the world around us.