As someone who takes a pretty laissez-faire approach to skincare despite having struggled with acne and oil, I’m excited to see beauty tech on the rise. This year at CES 2025, I saw everything from LED face masks to smart mirrors making their debut alongside the latest and greatest gadgets; However, one of the most exciting arrivals was L’Oréal’s new skin testing device, the Cell Bioprint.
Made in collaboration with Korean startup Nanoentek, this tabletop device uses advanced proteomics (the study of how protein composition affects skin aging) to determine the past, present and future of your skin’s health. , all in a five-minute test.
I had the opportunity to try it on site and learned a batch about my skin, including some amazing ideas I’ll be paying attention to in my new skincare regimen.
Want a quick summary? Watch the time-stamped video below.
Look
Lab on a chip
So how does Cell BioPrint actually work? The test itself is deceptively simple, but the science behind the scenes is truly impressive.
The test begins by applying stickers to the apples of the cheeks 15 times, before inserting them into a solution. The sticker lifts dead cheek skin cells, which the solution then removes, leaving only the telltale proteins identified by L’Oréal as biomarkers of various signs of skin aging.
Next, you will need one of L’Oréal’s “lab-on-chip” test cartridges, into which you will place a few drops of the solution. Just like the lateral flow tests we did so Known during the pandemic, this cartridge absorbs the solution; and this is where the real Cell BioPrint machine comes into play. It has an ATM-type slot, into which the test cartridge slides so it can be measured and analyzed.
While you wait for the analysis to complete, you’ll also take a few scans of your cheeks and forehead with L’Oréal’s Skin Connect device and answer a short questionnaire about your chronological age and skin type before the machine shows you your test. cartridge and delivers your results to the connected tablet.
By the skin of my skin
@PakGazette ♬ original sound – TechRadar
Now, as I mentioned before, I’m no skincare guru, despite a decades-long battle with my own complexion. So anything that eliminates the guesswork for me is a big win in my book.
Suffice it to say, then, that I was delighted with the depth and detail of my Cell BioPrint skincare report. Not only did it give me great insight into my skin, but it also told me that the biological age of my skin is actually two years. younger than my biological age, a compliment I did not expect to receive.
In addition to correctly identifying that my skin tends to have larger pores and oil, I also learned that my skin barrier function is weak and that my skin has some irregularities. One of the most useful learnings is that my skin absorbs retinol well, meaning I can confidently join the leagues of TikTok-informed skincare gurus in worshiping the famous form of vitamin A.
Better yet, the device can even recommend products specific to your skin composition. Of course, the recommendations made by Cell BioPrint come solely from the L’Oréal family of products, so there is that to consider; but you can always investigate for yourself any fake or alternative products that are within your price range or preference.
After spending years jumping from product to product, I feel much more confident about my skincare regimen after my demo of L’Oréal’s Cell BioPrint device; But that is not just due to the technology itself. Cell BioPrint is intended more for department stores and retail environments than home use, meaning users will have an expert on hand to help break down the results; an important element in the current era of misinformation.
With a pilot planned in Asia later this year, hopefully it’s only a matter of time before this technology hits a store near you; I’ll take you to the front of the line to see if I can maintain the two year difference in my skin age.
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