About clinical studies
What a clinical study is, what happens if you take part, and how participants are protected — written for people joining a study for the first time.
What is a clinical study?
It is the process of checking whether a cosmetic or quasi-drug product is safe and effective on real people — you use the product to a set plan, and the results are measured.
Most studies at GSC Anti-Aging Lab work like this: you apply the product to your skin, then come in on set dates to be measured. They are not drug trials — there are no procedures and nothing to swallow. Every study runs strictly to a protocol approved by an institutional review board (IRB).
How it goes
Pick a posting that matches you and apply online.
We check that you meet the criteria and let you know the outcome.
Come in on the agreed dates, use the product, get measured.
Once every visit is complete, the transport allowance is paid.
Transport allowance
The allowance depends on how many visits a study needs and how long each one takes, so it differs from posting to posting. The exact amount is on each study’s detail page.
How payment works
Participant protection
Your safety and your rights come first at every stage of a study.
Every study is reviewed by an institutional review board before it begins. The board independently checks that the protocol does not place an unreasonable burden or risk on participants.
Before taking part you are told the purpose, the procedure, the discomfort you can expect and the allowance, and you sign the consent form only once you understand it. You can ask anything at any point.
The personal data we collect is used only for the study, and identifying details are stripped before the results are analysed. Everything is destroyed securely once the retention period ends.
If an adverse reaction occurs during the study, use of the product stops immediately and your condition is assessed. Where necessary we arrange specialist care and follow-up.
If an unexpected skin reaction or any discomfort appears during a study, contact the study coordinator straight away. We stop use of the product, assess your condition and arrange specialist care if it is needed. You may leave a study at any time, for any reason, and there is no penalty for doing so.
See which studies are recruiting
Find a posting that matches your age and gender, and apply online in a few minutes.