L'Oreal, a global beauty company, interestingly participated during CES 2018, an expo dedicated to consumer electronics. It introduced two Ultraviolet-sensing wearables to measure sunlight exposure.
Just like other wearable electronics such as smartwatches, battery life is a big factor. However, the two products showcased by the cosmetic corporation do not require a power source. Instead, it relies on the same thing it was made to measure: sunlight.
Each of the two is apparently designed to be discrete and still provide users with enough information regarding their overall exposure. The partner app is available for both iOS and Android platform users.
Keeping Skin Healthy
Based on the information provided by L'Oreal, the company conducted a research together with John Rogers, a professor at Northwestern University and MC10, a wearable healthcare technology firm. Their study collected data about the daily UV exposure limits, which are considered safe for the human skin.
The group's goal was to come up with wearable technology that can encourage awareness regarding the risks of overexposure to sunlight.
Making A Comeback
One of the two products from L'Oreal was actually previewed two years ago. The My UV Patch was developed together with MC10. At first glance, it is interesting to discover how it works.
Even though it looks just like those temporary tattoos, it is actually a flexible electronic skin patch, which is thinner than a strand of human hair. The manufacturer reveals what looks like a single strip but is actually made of five layers. The combination of photo-sensitive dyes, an NFC array, and a medical grade adhesive to keep it attached to the user's skin.
Once applied on a spot that is easily exposed to the sun, users can shower, swim, sleep, and even apply lotion or sunscreen over the patch. Sadly, it only lasts a couple of days wherein the results are then analyzed by the smartphone app on demand. Users will get a detailed advice on how to manage their exposure.
A New Model
The next one is a new device that features the same battery-free concept of the previous product. The UV Sense will be offered by La Roche-Posay, a skincare label owned by L'Oreal. Unlike the UV Patch, it sports a smaller design but is slightly thicker with a longer battery life estimated to last for two weeks.
It is intended to be worn on the user's thumbnail and attaches using a medical-grade adhesive. Just like the other model, ultraviolet exposure from sunlight simultaneously powers the sensor and supposedly gathers data worth three months within its 15-day lifespan.
Connectivity, Availability, And Price
Both products have NFC technology onboard to transmit data wirelessly to compatible NFC-enabled smartphones. However, with the My UV Patch, users can opt to use their smartphone camera to scan the photo-sensitive design and determine their total exposure anytime.
L'Oreal has not officially announced the retail price and release date of the My UV Patch and UV Sense, but the wearables are supposedly due to launch later this year.
