Skincare with UV sensors
L’Oreal breaks new ground at CES in Las Vegas
Beauty at your fingertips has extended to Sun protection with a wearable electronic UV sensor l aunched by L’Oreal last week, at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas.
The French cosmetics giant gives a thumbs up to this new technology, called UV Sense, which is easily worn on the thumbnail, looking like a blue-dotted white manicure.
The thumb optimally catches the sunlight for the UV monitoring, which can also be tracked by My UV Patch stretchable skin sensor previously introduced in 2016.
“Armed with research and consumer insights from the original My UV Patch, we set out to create something that blends problem-solving technology with human-centred design, offering real-time data and longer wear in a discreet product that fits any lifestyle,” said Guive Balooch, global vice-president of L’Oréal’s Research and Innovation Technology Incubator.
L’Oréal collaborated with world-renowned designer Yves Béhar for the design of UV Sense, which will be available in the US this summer prior to a global launch next year.
“Design and technology are inextricably linked, and as products become more personalised to individuals, both elements are integral to providing people with seamless experiences,” said Béhar. “By working with L’Oréal, we are able to pair deep expertise in beauty tech with an effective design that enhances consumers’ well-being without distracting from their everyday lives.”
Measuring less than 2mm thick and 9mm in diameter, the smaller UV Sense offers longer wear and real-time data that can be stored for up to three months and show trends of Sun exposure over time with instant updates.
Moreover, it’s the first battery-free wearable electronic sensor that can easily be reapplied to the nail with adhesives provided in the packaging.
The accompanying mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, translates and transfers data from the sensor using Near Field Communication-enabled technology. The app delivers consumer-friendly information detailing when the wearer should be mindful of UV exposure.
Data is included in a profile within the app that outlines a user’s exposure levels. Sun-safety habits are encouraged with facts about exposure and additional tips for protection.
Both UV Sense and My UV Patch were technically developed based on L’Oreal’s research conducted in conjunction with MC10, a leading wearable technology company, and professor John Rogers at Northwestern University, through his portfolio of intellectual property and innovation around flexible, stretchable electronics.
L’Oréal’s dermatological skincare brand La Roche-Posay has distributed more than one million patches to consumers in 37 countries, including Thailand, free of charge.
Consumer studies show that the patch had a positive impact on the Sunsafety behaviours of consumers — with 34% applying sunscreen more often and 37% trying to stay in the shade more frequently.
This year, La Roche-Posay will also release limited-edition My UV Patch designed by the San Francisco-based Béhar. Its Anthelios sunscreen formulas protect against UVA and UVB while featuring different textures to encourage daily wear, not to mention reapplication during the day to maintain skin defence against the Sun.