What You Need to Know About The Nielsen Beauty Panel

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Online market research isn’t all about filling in surveys or going to focus groups.

You’re probably familiar with the Nielsen Homescan panel – which offers shoppers the chance to earn rewards by scanning their shopping. 

The barcodes scanned give the Nielsen group insight into what people are purchasing, and panel members get rewarded for participating.

Now, there is a new opportunity for Australian women who love beauty products to earn rewards for following their passion.

The Nielsen Australia Personal Care and Beauty Panel offers gift cards to a wide range of major retailers for minimal effort.

Here’s how the Nielsen Australia Beauty Panel works.

Nielsen Australia Company Background

When it comes to measurement and data analytics, Nielsen is a global giant.

They have been operating for more than 90 years and are a reputable S&P 500 company.

With a massive data-gathering operation that includes over 100 countries from around the world, Nielsen collect information from consenting members of their panels and forms reports that help their clients understand the market and how to meet their customers’ needs.

The Nielsen Homescan site has always been a popular option for Australians who are looking to earn rewards for simply scanning their shopping.

This provides Nielsen with information about what real Australians are purchasing, which then goes towards creating data to help brands tailor their products and services to consumers.

This latest opportunity from Nielsen, the Australian Personal Care & Beauty Panel works off the same principles, but is specifically tailored to collecting information about beauty and personal care products.

Who can join?


Females are by far the most represented group when it comes to purchasing beauty products, so the Nielsen Australia Beauty Panel aims to collect data solely from women.

They need to be over the age of 16, and the panel is only available to Australian residents.

Prospective members are asked about the types of beauty products purchased recently.

While membership to most market research companies is as simple as signing up, the Nielsen Australia Beauty Panel is a little bit more exclusive.

After registering your interest and providing basic details, you will need to be approved.

If you meet the criteria, you will receive a phone call from the Nielsen call centre to confirm your membership. 

Click here to join the Nielsen Australian Personal Care and Beauty Panel

How does it work?

Companies who sell beauty and hygiene products benefit from knowing what is happening in the market, and they pay market research companies like Nielsen to find out what real people are purchasing and their response to different aspects of the relevant products and services.

Nielsen then passes some of that payment onto the members who provide that information.

Members of the Beauty Panel will need to simply shop as usual, purchasing the products they usually buy.

Then, once their shopping is complete, they will use an app to scan the barcode of the product, and enter the price they paid.

They also could be required to take a photo of some items.

All of the information from the panel members is collated into a report that removes all identifying data, so individual scanners cannot be identified.

That information is then sent to health and beauty brands so they can improve their products and services.

In return for scanning the products they usually purchase, Nielsen awards points to members.

Those points add up over time and when they meet the minimum threshold, they can be used to purchase vouchers for a range of major Australian retailers.

The Beauty Panel does not promote or endorse any brand or product, give any discounts for products, or offer advice or information.

It exists solely to gather data about what you already purchase and to reward you for your efforts.

How do you earn points?

Unlike some other online market research companies, the Nielsen Beauty Panel is simple, with only one major way to earn points – scanning pre-purchased health and beauty items, and entering their price.

Once you have registered your interest and been confirmed via phone as a panel member, you’re ready to get started.

You will need to fill out some profile information.

You will also need to look out for a confirmation email, which will contain a link to download the app that will allow you to scan the barcodes of your beauty products.

The points you receive will depend on your weekly activity and how often you scan your barcodes.

In addition, there are points incentives for the first time you download the app, a reward for being with the panel for six months, and another for staying for 12 months.

You will receive a small bonus on your birthday, and if you are invited to take part in relevant online surveys, you’ll receive points for that as well.

Your earnings won’t be extravagant, and will probably just offer enough for you to redeem a $20 voucher a few times a year.

However, as a reward for really minimal effort that helps support an industry that members love, it’s a nice bonus.

How do you redeem points?

Your points are based on your weekly activity, with a few extra bonuses thrown in.

When you have enough points accumulated to earn a reward, you can choose an eGift card from several retailers.

If you prefer, you can set up your account to automatically redeem your points for your chosen voucher once you have enough. 

Your points can be used to purchase vouchers for Australian businesses such as:

  • Target
  • Apple iTunes
  • David Jones
  • Rebel
  • BCF
  • Catch.com.au
  • Optus
  • Harvey Norman
  • Caltex
  • Dominos
  • Wish Gift Card
  • Kmart
  • Big W
  • eBay
  • Supercheap Auto
  • Coles
  • Myer
  • Woolworths

Related: 10 Genuine Ways to Get Free Gift Cards in Australia

The Nielsen Australia Beauty Panel offers members an easy and interesting way to earn points, as well as influencing an industry that they love.

However, there are some negatives – membership is restricted to people who are invited to participate, there are no options to receive a cash reward, and your earning potential is relatively limited.

Nielsen is a highly respected company, and the Australian Personal Care and Beauty Panel is an exciting and low-effort way for lovers of beauty and hygiene products to earn rewards based on their interests.

If you would like to have a say in what you see on the shelves and earn vouchers for sharing your personal purchasing preferences, the Nielsen Personal Care and Beauty Panel is a great option to make your purchases work for you.

Click here to join the Nielsen Personal Care and Beauty Panel

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About Emma Healey

Emma is a recognised family finance and budgeting expert and founder of Mum's Money. Her advice has been featured in Readers Digest, Yahoo Finance, Lifehacker, The Simple Dollar, MSN Money and more.

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