To develop an efficient, industry standard, user based methodology to enhance the development and assessment of foot skin solutions for prevention and healing.

Scholl, one of the power brands of Reckitt Benckiser, has a long history of developing foot health products, based on expert knowledge of the foot anatomy and environment. Scholl prides itself on being the leading foot health brand in the world. However, in order to push the boundaries of the products, specifically efficacy, Scholl needed to increase the knowledge and understanding of feet.

Working with the University, Reckitt Benckiser identified an opportunity to improve their knowledge of feet through an improved understanding of foot skin. This included not only the general make up of the skin, but the interaction between foot mechanics, foot environment and foot skin.

The main challenge was to support the development of a range of new products from a sound scientific basis. Methods to research foot skin were not yet established and baseline data for many aspects needed to be investigated, which had never been reported previously.

Equally challenging was communicating the novel scientific results in a manner that would be appreciated and used for ongoing development by Reckitts, yet remain faithful to the reality that this was emerging knowledge in a ‘virgin’ territory.

Specific knowledge challenges included:

• The design of a range of experimental protocols, to use the information generated by laboratory based studies to test products and inform future innovation.

• Develop experimental conditions that mimic those of environments common and unique to the foot.

• Validation of existing measurement devices and technologies used in skin research to prove effective in measurement of specific parameters of skin on the foot.

Foot skin is an ill researched area and yet as part of one of Europe’s largest schools of Podiatry, it is central to much of the education business of the academic team. This work was complimentary to existing expertise and reputation in foot biomechanics and thus an obvious evolution for the research group.

Case study - Reckitt Benckiser