When we first started Three Ships in Connie's apartment kitchen, we made a promise to ourselves and to you: that we’d only make skincare that’s all-natural, effective, and backed by results. That promise still guides every formula we create. And now, we’re taking that commitment one step further.

We’re so excited (and honestly, a little nervous!) to share that we’ve begun investing in independent clinical testing for our best-selling products.

We’ve always had results at heart, but now we’re taking our testing protocol even further by investing in independent lab trials for our best-selling formulas—an expensive step for a growing small business, but one we believe is essential. These trials provide the most unbiased analysis of a product’s performance, supporting our mission to empower you to make the most informed decisions for your skin.

Why We Started With Skin Hero™

When we chose our first formula to clinically test, the decision was easy: our Skin Hero Calendula + 2% Bakuchiol Bio-Retinol Serum.

Why? We created Skin Hero to give all skin types an effective and non-irritating alternative to traditional retinols, which can cause redness, flakes and inflammation. We wanted to make sure our plant-based alternative performed just as well (or even better!) than standard retinols. 

We've heard from so many of you that it's made a real difference, and we've seen incredible transformation photos to prove it. To truly solidify Skin Hero as a trusted retinol alternative, we knew we wanted to pair those consumer stories with objective, unbiased clinical evidence.

Here’s what that process looked like:

• An independent lab recruited test subjects with specific skin concerns.
  

• They took precise measurements of each subject’s skin (like wrinkle depth and elasticity) before the test began.
  

• Each person used Skin Hero twice a day for 28 days.
  

• After 4 weeks, subjects returned to the lab, and scientists used specialized instruments to measure any changes in their skin.

This is how we ended up with proven claims we’re incredibly proud of, like:

• 20% reduction in the look of wrinkles in just 4 week

• 18% improvement in skin elasticity

And Now: Jelly Drops Clinical Testing Results Are In

Next up in our clinical testing journey was the Jelly Drops Hyaluronic Acid Serum—our community's favourite hydration essential. This jelly-soft serum with Tremella Mushroom and Kakadu Plum has been a Three Ships classic for years, and we knew it deserved the same rigorous validation.

We conducted an independent clinical trial with 25 participants, measuring skin hydration levels immediately after application, again after 4 weeks of regular use, and skin elasticity after 4 weeks.

Here’s what we found:

• Clinically proven to boost skin hydration instantly and increase skin elasticity by 26% in just 28 days.

• 92% of participants saw an immediate hydration boost, with a significant improvement in hydration and elasticity over 4 weeks. 
  

These results confirm what so many of you have told us: Jelly Drops isn’t just a fan favourite—it’s a routine staple you can count on.

What Those Claims Actually Mean

We know it can be confusing to read skincare claims. For example, when one product says “20% reduction in wrinkles” and another says “97% of people agreed their wrinkles looked less visible.” One sounds bigger—so which one is actually more meaningful?

At first, it may seem like the 97% claim is stronger. It’s a higher number, right? But it’s important to understand the 20% claim is a Clinical Test—which is an objective evaluation of a product’s performance, determined by independent lab trials. The 97% claim, on the other hand, is a Consumer Perception Test—which is a survey of subjects’ opinions. 

Both types of claims are valuable. They’re just different ways to demonstrate what a product has been shown to do in a lab, versus what testers noticed it did.

This Is Just the Beginning

We’re so proud of this step forward. Investing in clinical trials as a small, independently owned brand isn’t easy—but it’s part of our mission to bring more transparency to the skincare industry and help you feel confident in the products you choose to put on your skin. More importantly, we want you to know why a product works—and how.

We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to bring you even more testing updates soon. Thank you for being part of the journey.

With love from the lab,
Laura + Connie
Co-Founders, Three Ships