More Facts, Less Illusions is the slogan for a forthcoming event, but not – as you might be thinking – for David Copperfield’s next magic show. No, this is the slogan chosen for the IFSCC Conference which will be held in Zurich in September.

So what might have led the Organizing Committee to choose this slogan? Could it be that the Committee has doubts about the credibility of our industry? And if so, why, and where do these doubts come from? I’ve been looking through some recent women’s magazines to see if they give me a clue as to what’s going on. The highly aesthetic layouts of these ads are extremely appealing, even to cosmetic scientists like us, who above all others should be aware that they often play on dreams, emotions and illusions. Let me cite some of the claims I found in ads for skin care creams: “the complete correction”, “the skin of your dreams, instantly and ov ... ...