L’Oreal, the French beauty and cosmetics company, is developing a type of synthetic skin that can mimic human sensations. At the recent Viva Technology conference in Paris, L’Oreal showcased its “bioprinting” technology, which can 3D print skin that closely resembles human skin. This technology has been used by the company for several years to test new makeup products, eliminating the need for animal testing. L’Oreal stopped testing on animals in 1989, well ahead of regulatory requirements. Guive Balooch, head of L’Oreal’s tech incubator, explained that bioprinting involves using 3D printing and biology to reconstruct personalized skin. He believes this technology will revolutionize the industry and L’Oreal is collaborating with external partners to further its development.
According to a recent statement by L’Oreal, their skin technology allows them to replicate the diverse characteristics of real human skin, including conditions like eczema and acne. Additionally, it can mimic the ability to tan and heal from injury.
L’Oreal is not stopping there, though. The company is collaborating with startups and research institutions to further enhance their bioprinting technology, with the goal of creating skin that can actually experience sensation.
L’Oreal’s ambition is to incorporate sensors into their reconstructed skin, enabling them to not only test the efficacy of products, but also receive sensory feedback. This feedback would mimic the sensations that occur when applying products, providing a comprehensive assessment of both effectiveness and sensory experience.
In addition to their advancements in dermatological technology, L’Oreal also showcased innovations in artificial intelligence at a recent tech show in France. This included an AI assistant designed to provide beauty tips.
The company showcased a beauty assistant called “BeautyGenius” at its booth. This AI-powered app analyzes a user’s face to identify their facial features and provides a personalized facial analysis. It then suggests the best skincare products for the user’s skin type. The app utilizes generative AI technology, the same technology behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot.
In addition, L’Oreal introduced CREAITECH, an AI marketing lab. This lab includes tools that enable the creation of brand-compliant, AI-generated marketing content.
According to the company, L’Oreal is integrating AI-assisted marketing across its 37 beauty brands, such as Kiehl’s, Lancome, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and Yves Saint Laurent Beauté.