Designers: fuseproject, San Francisco, California, USA
Manufacturer: PCH International, Futian Free Trade Zone, Shenzhen, China
The best technology serves a distinct purpose, solves problems and enhances people’s lives. It was with this grounding intention that L’Oréal developed My Skin Track UV by La Roche-Posay —the world’s first battery-free electronic sensor to track personal UV exposure. With one in every three cancers diagnosed as skin cancer globally, L’Oréal set out to create a unique solution that blends problem-solving technology with human-centered design, empowering users to monitor and protect their skin from harmful UV rays through real-time personalized data and insights.
L’Oréal’s Technology Incubator turned to a team of best-in-class collaborators in industrial design (Yves Behar’s fuseproject), groundbreaking research in flexible, stretchable electronics and wearables (MC10, C10, Inc. and Wearifi, leading wearable technology companies), and revered skin expertise (La Roche-Posay) to bring to market the first-of-its-kind battery-free UV sensor. Every detail was meticulously scrutinized and carefully curated to ensure the final product was minimally intrusive and could seamlessly integrate into the wearer’s everyday lifestyle, while providing the most accurate readings of UV exposure and actionable insights with the power to change user’s sun safety behaviors.
The precise sensor made of polymer and resin is the size of an M&M, measuring just 12mm wide, and comes in a stainless spring steel sleek clip design. Contained under a waterproof, drop-like dome, the battery-free sensor is activated by the sun and powered by the user’s smartphone using near-field communication to seamlessly integrate with the insights-driven companion app (available on both iOS and Android devices). The entire product—sensor and clip—weighs just 17.4 grams.
The sensor pushes UV exposure data to the app when users scan the sensor, by opening the app and holding the phone near the sensor. The companion app integrates seamlessly into Apple HealthKit and tracks exposure to environmental factors including pollution, pollen and humidity. It measures both UVA and UVB rays, and provides instant status updates while storing up to three months of data. Exposure risks are calculated through a precise algorithm that takes into account an individual’s personal risk factors, like skin tone, and the current UV index. This allows the app to alert users when they are at risk for sunburn or damage, and helps them regulate safe behaviors, like sunscreen reapplication or seeking shade. The companion app is designed to provide even smarter insights by allowing users to log outdoor activities—like running, swimming or gardening—and track how it is affecting your exposure. Based on this data, the app offers personalized recommendations of La Roche-Posay products that specifically cater to their skincare needs.
This design offers users the freedom to choose the placement that best corresponds to their lifestyle—whether on a shirt, hat, bathing suit, necklace or bag. And, to ensure the sensor records accurate data, based on the user’s placement choice, L’Oréal ran numerous studies using a dosimeter to ensure the exposure algorithm adapts to location on the body. Users need only to update the app and let it know where they’re wearing the sensor—the algorithm handles the rest.
My Skin Track UV is the product of two preceding prototypes, My UV Patch and UV Sense, from which the team gleaned design and efficacy insights via limited distribution pilot programs through La Roche-Posay certified dermatologists. This story of this evolution showcases the team’s unwavering commitment to developing a truly impactful piece of technology—and the innovative problem-solving and design thinking behind it.