BeautyQol is a new international quality of life (QOL) measuring tool. It was developed to scientifically establish that cosmetic products and good physical appearance can improve QOL — and it was invented, in part, by a L’Oreal exec.

Yolaine de Linares, director of the department of social and innovation and prospective research, L’Oreal, has co-authored a new study published in the Archives of Dermatology (JAMA Network – USA), which confirms the relationship between cosmetic products, appearance, and QOL.

The study’s authors developed the BeautyQOL tool, which was used to test 3,231 subjects, in 13 countries around the world. The instrument provides one overall QOL score, as well as five sub-scores, including: social life, self confidence, mood, energy and attractiveness.

By measuring how much cosmetic products improve quality of life, BeautyQol evaluates how much they also improve general health. Next, the BeautyQol instrument will be adapted to more countries in order to better assess cultural differences in the use of cosmetic products.

Data Mining International, an independent international research agency based in Geneva, Switzerland, was also involved in the study. Its CEO, Dr. Ariel Beresniak, MD, MPH, PhD, is co-author.

Beresniak said: “The positive impact of cosmetics on self esteem and well-being has been well-known since the Antique period, but this is the first time we are able to scientifically measure this impact on the key dimensions of quality of life. This new instrument will allow numerous comparative research according to populations, products and situations.”

Linares adds: “This research will allow a growing body of evidence about the value of cosmetic products. This is the reason why the BeautyQol instrument is going to become a gold standard in perceived effectiveness assessment.”