A newly published study from the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences highlights an important educational gap in dermatology residency training related to over-the-counter (OTC) product formulation and topical vehicle design—a critical component of effective dermatologic care.
The study, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, found that a targeted educational intervention significantly improved dermatology residents’ understanding of how formulation science influences the performance, tolerability, and patient use of topical products.
Although dermatologists frequently recommend OTC skincare and therapeutic products, formal training on how these formulations are developed, and how ingredients interact with delivery vehicles, has historically been limited in residency education.
“This study reinforces something dermatologists see every day in practice: the ingredients matter, but how they’re formulated often determines whether a product actually works for patients,” said Adam Friedman, senior author and Professor and Chair of Dermatology at GW.. “Understanding OTC formulation science helps dermatologists make better recommendations and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
To expand education in this area, Friedman created the Lab to Label Conference, a national meeting focused specifically on the science behind over-the-counter dermatologic product development, including formulation chemistry, ingredient stability, delivery systems, and clinical performance. The conference was developed in collaboration with Neutrogena and Aveeno to bridge the gap between dermatologic science, product development, and clinical practice.
The second annual Lab to Label Conference will take place in August 2026 at GW SMHS in Washington, DC, and the department will offer scholarships for up to 25 dermatology residents nationwide to attend the meeting.
“Lab to Label was designed to give dermatologists a behind-the-scenes look at how OTC products are actually created, from the science of ingredient selection to the engineering of the vehicle that delivers it to the skin,” Friedman said. “By supporting residents to attend through scholarships, we’re helping train the next generation of dermatologists to better understand the products millions of patients use every day.”
Additional details about the 2026 Lab to Label Conference and resident scholarship program will be announced at the American Academy of Dermatology.