Custom skincare: how tech is shaking up the way we buy beauty products
- From DNA tests to clever algorithms to convenient new devices, technology is creating a whole new market for made-to-measure skincare
- Products can be customised to fit individual lifestyles
The bespoke movement came late to the beauty world, certainly compared to the fashion industry – where nothing more than a tape measure, some fabric and nimble fingers are needed to create a custom garment.
A lot more technology goes into creating a tailor-made beauty product, especially when it comes to devices that can analyse skin condition more effectively than by sight and touch.
That’s not to say the concept is entirely new. Since the early 1990s, MTM Skincare has advocated its custom-blended skincare concept, which requires customers to go to one of its boutiques for a skincare analysis and consultation. The brand, which is headquartered in Hong Kong but has its research lab in Japan, then adds ingredient boosters to a base creation based on a person’s skincare needs.
But lately there has been a sudden mushrooming in new companies that create bespoke skincare solutions, while existing brands are adding more customised options to their line-ups. Why now?
For Singapore-based Alcheme, which launched last year, it is because consumers now have the tools to take ownership of their skincare regime.