When you’re partnering with a lab to create or refine your product, your feedback is one of the most powerful tools in shaping the final formula. Whether you’re evaluating a body butter, serum, cleanser, or balm, the way you describe what you’re experiencing is key to helping us fine-tune your formula to perfection.
Yet, sometimes the words we use mean different things to different people. That’s why we’ve created this guide — to help you dissect each bench sample with clarity and confidence.
Start by Setting the Scene
When testing a new sample, try to replicate the real-life scenario in which your customers would use the product:
- Time of day: morning vs. night
- On clean, dry skin or over other products?
- Indoor or outdoor use?
- Any weather/humidity factors?
Noting this context gives us better insight into how and why a formula may be performing a certain way.
Core Sensory Attributes to Evaluate
1. Texture & Consistency (Before Application)
- Thick / Thin
- Dense / Airy
- Smooth / Gritty
- Stiff / Whipped / Waxy
Example: “This version feels stiffer and harder to scoop than our current butter.”
2. Application Experience (During Rub-In)
- Slip: How far the product glides before it absorbs. Often mistaken for “greasy” or “tacky”.
- Drag: Resistance during spreading. More drag = thicker, more balm-like.
- Spreadability: How easily it covers skin without needing too much product.
Example: “It has a silky slip like a silicone primer — I like that. It feels luxurious.”
3. Absorption & Finish (Post Application)
- Absorbs quickly / slowly
- Leaves a residue / Fully sinks in
- Matte / Dewy / Glossy finish
- Tacky / Velvety / Slick / Oily
Example: “Leaves a nice cushion on the skin — protective but not sticky.”
4. Skin Feel (After 5–10 Minutes)
- Lightweight / Heavy
- Hydrated / Drying
- Smooth / Gritty
- Occlusive / Breathable
Example: “It’s a little too occlusive — I’d like it to feel more breathable for summer.”
Other Key Elements to Assess
Emolliency
How soft and moisturized does the skin feel after use?
Terms: silky, plush, conditioned, rich, buttery
Aroma
- Scent strength: subtle / strong
- Scent profile: floral, earthy, citrusy, synthetic
- Longevity: fades quickly / lingers
Example: “This version is more floral — I’d like to dial it back to feel more neutral.”
Appearance
Color: natural / artificial / too pigmented / just right
Texture: smooth / whipped / grainy / uniform
How to Give Great Feedback
What do you like or dislike — and why?
(“I like that it absorbs fast because I want it usable in humid climates.”)
What would you change?
(“Can we make it a bit less tacky without losing the moisturizing effect?”)
How does it compare to your current product?
(“Ours has more slip, this one has more drag — which makes it feel heavier.”)
What’s the intended experience for your customer?
(“I want them to feel instant relief and softness, but still be able to touch things without greasiness.”)
Pro Tip: Use Benchmarking Language
If possible, reference other products or your own existing product to describe your goals. For example:
“I’m aiming for something like the feel of Brand X’s balm — but with a lighter scent.”
“Think more butter than lotion — slow to absorb but super rich.”
Let’s Get Specific Together
Remember, terms like “greasy,” “light,” or “sticky” can mean different things to different people. When we dug into a client’s description of a sample being “too greasy,” we discovered what they really meant was it had too much slip. That insight led to big improvements — and a happy client.
Bonus: A Sensory Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
| Attribute | Descriptors |
|---|---|
| Texture | Thick, Thin, Gritty, Smooth, Whipped, Dense |
| Application | Slippery, Draggy, Spreadable, Slick |
| Absorption | Fast, Slow, Matte, Glossy, Dewy |
| Afterfeel | Tacky, Velvety, Oily, Soft, Cushioned |
| Scent | Floral, Herbal, Fruity, Earthy, Powdery |
| Appearance | Translucent, Creamy, Pigmented, Uniform |
Don’t Forget the Details
Reference the sample batch number and version and keep them organized so that you can go back and refer to your samples specifically with your team. And, review your samples over a few weeks to see how they change over time. Formulas can thicken or thin, change color, all kinds of changes that you will want to be attuned to.
Got a new batch of samples? Bookmark this guide and dive in. Your feedback is what makes our R&D process truly collaborative — and ultimately, more successful.
