Investigating the tribological properties of a product, i.e. how the product interacts with a surface or substrate, can give insight into the product’s ease-of-application or sensorial properties. Recreation of the conditions under which a product is used and then measuring the friction while a product is being applied to a surface can allow for comparison of products or formulations and inform NPD.

Texture analysis can investigate the ease of application of a product and allow benchmarking of products against each other. During this test, a product (e.g. a lipstick) is passed across a relevant substrate and the friction force experienced during application recorded.