SENSITIVE SKIN opens consumer study for retinol alternative serum and cleansing balm

SENSITIVE SKIN, LLC is recruiting U.S. adults for a four-week consumer perception study of its ELIXIR Premium Serum and CALM Cleansing Balm, with 30 spots still open and applications due Oct. 7, 2026. The company says results will be published in mid-November.

Why it matters: - The study gives SENSITIVE SKIN a direct read on how consumers respond to two of its core plant-based skincare products. - Participants receive near-full-size study editions at no cost, which lowers the barrier to trying the brand. - The findings could help validate or challenge the company’s positioning around skin that has become more selective with age.

What happened: - SENSITIVE SKIN, LLC opened a four-week consumer perception study for ELIXIR Premium Serum and CALM Cleansing Balm. - The Tampa Bay skincare brand has 30 places remaining for U.S. participants. - Applications close Oct. 7, 2026, or sooner if the study fills up. - The company expects to publish findings in mid-November 2026.

The details: - Selected participants receive ELIXIR Premium Serum and CALM Cleansing Balm free of charge. - The products arrive as near-full-size special editions made specifically for the study. - Participants apply through a short online form at the application form. - Selected participants use both products daily for four weeks. - Each participant completes a brief questionnaire before starting and a 10-minute questionnaire at the end. - Participants can reply directly to founder and chief formulator Ollie Wertheim with questions or observations during the study. - There is nothing to buy during or after the study. - Participants who post about the products must disclose that the products were provided at no cost. - ELIXIR Premium Serum is positioned as a plant-based alternative to retinol. - The serum includes 32 botanical ingredients, including bakuchiol, coenzyme Q10, sea buckthorn oil and black currant seed oil. - CALM Cleansing Balm is a balm-to-milk cleanser with blue tansy oil, bisabolol, elderberry fruit extract and mango butter. - Both formulas are anhydrous, meaning they are made without water. - The study is open to adults across the United States.

Between the lines: - SENSITIVE SKIN is asking for critical feedback, not just praise, which suggests the brand wants consumer evidence to shape future positioning. - The study is framed around a specific age-related skincare shift: the company targets women 35+ whose skin is described as more selective than it was at 25. - By offering free products and a direct line to the founder, the brand is trying to make participation easy while collecting qualitative feedback alongside survey data.

What's next: - The company will close the application window on Oct. 7, 2026, or earlier if all places are filled. - Participants will complete the four-week usage period and final questionnaire in late October. - SENSITIVE SKIN will release the study results in mid-November 2026. - Ollie Wertheim is available for interviews on the study design, the brand’s decision to invite criticism and the results.

The bottom line: - SENSITIVE SKIN is using a consumer study to test whether its retinol alternative serum and cleansing balm deliver enough value to win over skeptical users, not just loyal customers.