Steventon outlined how cosmetics and skin care could even be used to improve the well-being of consumers, positioning such products under the health care umbrella. Steventon outlined how cosmetics and skin care could even be used to improve the well-being of consumers, positioning such products under the health care umbrella. These mechanisms have been the focus of Stanford University researchers, who as previously reported, were recognized as academic finalists in the Cosmetic Victories competition, sponsored by the Cosmetic Valley-ESSEC endowment fund. Here we profile the work at Stanford University that more specifically — through partial funding by L'Oréal — conducted quantitative studies combining biomechanical tests and in vivo analysis to determine how sensory neuron activation by cosmetic products modulates perception. Ross Bennett-Kennett, Ph.D., graduate research assistant at Stanford University, explains.