L’Oréal introduces wearable microfluidic sensor prototype for skin

L’Oréal has unveiled a prototype of its new wearable microfluidic sensor that measures the pH levels of skin.

Called My Skin Track pH by La Roche-Posay, the sensor is designed to create customised product regimens to improve skincare routines.

It was developed by L’Oréal in partnership with Epicore Biosystems and is expected to be available at select La Roche-Posay dermatologists in the US this year.

L’Oréal’s research and innovation division unit L’Oréal Technology Incubator and skincare brand La Roche-Posay were also involved in the development of the sensor.

L’Oréal Technology Incubator Global vice-president Guive Balooch said: “The scientific and medical communities have long known the link between skin pH levels and common skin concerns that millions of people experience every day.

“Our goal is to use this advanced technology to empower consumers with meaningful information about their skin, so that they can find the products that are right for their individual needs.

“At L’Oréal, we know that health is the future of beauty and we are committed to leveraging technology to bring powerful insights and solutions to our consumers.”

My Skin Track pH uses a two-step process to measure skin pH levels. In the first step, a wearer places the sensor on their inner arm for five to 15 minutes. The wearer then captures images of the sensor using the My Skin Track pH app, which reads the pH measurement.

The app also reads the wearer’s local sweat loss, which is the rate of perspiration on the skin’s surface. This evaluates skin health and provides customised product recommendations from La Roche-Posay.

My Skin Track pH allows L’Oréal to accelerate its research through a series of clinical studies in collaboration with Northwestern University, US.