Method and device for determining a care product tailored specifically for a user based on a determined skin fat content

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 10 for determining a care product individually derived for a user. Healthy and youthful-looking skin (normal skin) can have a small-pored, firm appearance. Normal skin can feel supple and be neither too dry nor too oily.

[0002] In contrast, dry skin can appear flaky, rough, and / or sensitive to external influences. Dry skin often affects older people.

[0003] Dry skin can, for example, be caused by a disruption of the skin's barrier function due to an inappropriate amount of skin lipids and / or due to an incorrect composition of the skin lipids.

[0004] For the care of dry skin in particular, various special cleansing and care products for the face and / or body may be available.

[0005] Oily skin, which can occur especially in the years after puberty, especially on the face (where there are many sebaceous glands), can be caused by an excess of skin lipids on the skin's surface. This can promote the growth of microorganisms, which can lead to blemished skin. Oily skin can appear large-pored and shiny.

[0006] Various special cleansing and care products, especially for the face, may also be available for the care of oily skin.

[0007] In a skin condition known as combination skin, both dry and oily areas may be present. These may alternate, for example. An oily area may be found in a so-called T-zone, which may include the forehead, nose, and chin area, while a dry area may include the rest of the face.

[0008] Various special cleansing and care products, especially for the face, may also be available for the care of combination skin.

[0009] Without expert dermatological or cosmetic advice, it can be difficult for a user to determine their individual skin condition and the cosmetics suitable for their skin condition.

[0010] If the user nevertheless consumes cosmetic products, it can be practically impossible to understand the success of the treatment because the user lacks the means, e.g. at home, to assess the treatment result in a standardized and objective manner.

[0011] This can make it difficult for consumers to assess the individual effectiveness of a cosmetic product, which can lead to a reduced motivation to undergo a corresponding cosmetic treatment, for example over the long term. This can even be the case if a cosmetic product is suitable for achieving an objectively verifiable desired effect. In many areas of daily life, there has recently been a trend towards personalized programs that can specifically address individual requirements and needs, for example in the area of ​​nutrition or health, but also in the area of ​​personalized cosmetics. This can enable users to specifically find cosmetic products and / or receive care instructions that are tailored to their individual skin needs, thus enabling particularly high levels of effectiveness.

[0012] Document US4494869 A describes a method for measuring skin sebum content using an optical device that focuses light onto a detector. The light passes through a plate that has been in contact with the skin. Document US4483619 A describes a method for measuring skin sebum content in which light pulses are passed through a plate that has been in contact with the skin. Documents KR20160038109 A and KR 101318670 B1 each describe methods for measuring skin properties using electrodes. Document US 2010105102 A1 describes a method for identifying biological markers for the analysis of skin and hair conditions using adhesive layers. The website https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20170107150122 / http: / / www.courage-khazaka.de / index.php / en / news / news-for-the-point-of-sale-mesaurements / 325-sebum-app-e describes an application that can be used to determine skin sebum content using a smartphone.

[0013] According to the invention, a device according to claim 10 is provided for determining a skin condition of a user taking into account a determined skin fat content.

[0014] In various embodiments, the device can be designed to be inexpensive and small (e.g., portable). The device can be applied to a (living) user, for example, at the user's home, at a point of sale for cosmetics and / or in a beauty salon. In various embodiments, the device can comprise a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad® or a similar electronic circuit device (e.g., a data processing device and / or a data transmission device), and an additional device that can, for example, be attached to the electronic circuit device and / or connectable thereto (e.g., connectable by means of a data connection). The additional device (possibly even the entire device) can be of a size that allows it to be easily accommodated in a handbag or trouser pocket, for example, with an area of ​​less than 36 cm2 and a thickness of less than 2 cm.

[0015] The device comprises a test surface, a camera and an electronic circuit device and is configured to determine a skin fat content (i.e. a content of skin lipids on / in the skin) of a user by means of the test surface, the camera, the electronic circuit device and a light source.

[0016] The test surface is designed in such a way that its light transmittance changes depending on the fat content of the skin with which it comes into contact. This means that the test surface can become more or less translucent after contact with (fatty) skin, and the more fat the skin contains, the more translucent it becomes. The skin condition of the user is determined based on the skin fat content.

[0017] In various embodiments, the test surface can be formed as a sensory material (e.g., a film, a glass, or plastic plate), the light transmittance of which can depend on the amount of fat on the material, thus enabling the amount of skin fat to be measured. For the measurement, the sensory material can be brought into contact with the user's skin (e.g., pressed onto the user's skin), optionally using a holder provided for this purpose, so that the sensory material can absorb skin fat. In various embodiments, the user can be provided with instructions regarding how the contacting is to be carried out, e.g., regarding contact duration, contact pressure, relative movement (e.g., rotating or wiping while pressing), or avoiding relative movement, etc.

[0018] In various embodiments, the device can have a storage device for the test surface. By means of the storage device, the test surface can be protected, for example, from contamination and / or loss. In various embodiments (in particular, but not limited to, e.g., when using test surfaces that can only be used once), the storage device can be designed as a space for storing the test surfaces that can be removed (e.g., individually) and used for single use. In various embodiments (in particular, but not limited to, e.g., when using a test surface that can be used multiple times and is firmly connected to the holder), the storage device can be designed such that it has a removable protective device, e.g., a foldable or pivotable protective cap or the like.

[0019] According to the invention, the test surface, ie the sensory material, is or is arranged after being brought into contact with the skin in such a way that the camera of the device is configured to receive light emitted by the light source after passing through the test surface.

[0020] In various embodiments, the sensory material (the test area) may be separable from a remainder of the device. This may allow the sensory material to be pressed onto the skin while separated from the remainder of the device, and then the sensory material (the test area) to be arranged on or within the remainder of the device, for example, in a holder (e.g., in a case where the holder provides a guide, the sensory material may be inserted into it).

[0021] In various embodiments, the sensory material (the test area) may also be physically (e.g., firmly) connected to the rest of the device during contact with the skin.

[0022] In various embodiments, the device for determining a skin condition can be used to photometrically determine the user's skin fat content. For the photometric determination of the user's skin fat content, in various embodiments, the test area can be irradiated with light from a light source in the direction of the camera.

[0023] In various embodiments, a quantity of light can be determined which reaches the test area, which may be covered with skin fat of the user after it has been brought into contact with the skin.

[0024] According to the invention, the determined light quantity is compared with a reference light quantity. The reference light quantity corresponds to the light quantity that the camera would reach through a non-contact test surface, i.e., one not covered with skin oil.

[0025] In various embodiments, for example in the case of an integrated light source or another light source which always reproducibly illuminates the test surface in essentially the same way (light intensity, wavelength, direction of illumination, distance between light source and test surface, etc.), the reference light quantity can be determined and provided in advance, for example in a laboratory.

[0026] In various embodiments, e.g. when using an external light source, e.g. a lamp or other generally available light source, the reference light quantity can be determined before or after the photometric measurement of the test area covered with skin fat, e.g. immediately before or (if necessary after cleaning the test area, or using a test area not covered with skin fat that is similar in terms of its photometric properties) afterwards.

[0027] According to the invention, the light quantity determined using the test area that was in contact with the user's skin is compared with the reference light quantity, and based on this, the user's skin fat content is determined, for example, by comparing it with reference data. In various embodiments, the reference data can have been determined in advance, for example, in laboratory tests.

[0028] In various embodiments, the comparison of the determined light quantity with the reference light quantity and / or the determination of the skin fat quantity therefrom can be carried out by means of the electronic circuit device (e.g. directly), for example by means of an app or other software program which is operated by the electronic circuit device (e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad ®< or the like).

[0029] In various embodiments, the comparison of the determined light quantity with the reference light quantity and / or the determination of the skin fat quantity therefrom can be carried out indirectly by means of the electronic circuit device, for example by the electronic circuit device providing a (e.g. contactless) data communication connection and by means of the

[0030] Data communication connection provides the recording of the light quantity (ie the digital image taken by the camera), the determined light quantity and / or the result of the comparison of the light quantity with the reference light quantity to an external data processing device (e.g. a cloud) and receives from the external data processing device the skin fat content determined by means of the recording of the light quantity, the determined light quantity and / or the result of the comparison of the light quantity with the reference light quantity.

[0031] In various embodiments, the determined skin fat content can be provided to the user in any manner, e.g., selectable by the user, e.g., as a numerical value (a skin fatness measure), a graphical representation (e.g., a representation of the determined value in relation to an entire value range from very dry to normal to very oily), an acoustic message, or the like.

[0032] According to the invention, the device is further configured to determine a skin condition based on the determined skin fat content. In a case in which the skin fat content is or was determined for only one skin area, the skin condition determined thereon can be determined as a uniform skin condition for the one determined skin fat content, e.g., very dry skin with very low skin fat content, very oily skin with very high skin fat content, normal skin with normal skin fat content, etc., with any number of gradations (e.g., in between). In a case in which the skin fat content is or was determined for a plurality of skin areas, the skin condition determined thereon can be determined as a uniform skin condition for the plurality of determined skin fat contents, e.g., as extremely combination skin with areas of very dry skin and areas of very oily skin (e.g.,with a very low skin fat content determined for at least one first skin area and a very high skin fat content determined for at least one second skin area), as light combination skin with areas of dry skin and areas of oily skin (e.g. with a low skin fat content determined for at least one first skin area and a high skin fat content determined for at least one second skin area), combination skin with a dry tendency (e.g. with a very low skin fat content determined for at least one first skin area and a high skin fat content determined for at least one second skin area), combination skin with an oily tendency (e.g. with a low skin fat content determined for at least one first skin area and a very high skin fat content determined for at least one second skin area), etc.

[0033] In various embodiments, the skin condition can be indicated numerically, for example as a total value, which can increase the clarity (e.g. of the presentation of the result).

[0034] In particular, in a case in which the skin fat content is determined for a plurality of skin areas, the provision of the skin condition to the user may comprise a graphical representation, for example a display, e.g. by means of a display device. In the graphical representation, the determined skin fat content of the plurality of areas can be displayed with a coding based on the skin fat content in a representation of the user (e.g. a schematic representation or on a photo of the user). For example, in a schematic representation of a user's face, areas of different skin fat content can be displayed with different colors and / or patterns, e.g. areas with normal skin fat content green, with low skin fat content red and with high skin fat content blue or the like. In another example, a photo of the user, e.g.Different patterns may be superimposed on a digital photograph showing the user's face, e.g. a drop pattern for areas with high skin fat content and a line pattern representing a tearing area for areas with low skin fat content, whereby areas of normal skin may remain unpatterned, or similar.

[0035] When graphically displaying the skin condition, e.g., the skin fat content of at least one skin area, e.g., the majority of skin areas, in various embodiments, the skin fat content can be displayed only for the area(s) for which the skin fat content was determined. In various embodiments, an area for which a determined skin fat content is displayed can be extrapolated beyond the skin area for which the skin fat content was determined, for example, by incorporating typical skin fat distribution patterns.For example, using a determined skin fat value for a first skin area within the T-zone and a second skin fat value for a second skin area outside the T-zone, the skin fat value of the first area can be assigned to the entire T-zone and displayed accordingly in the graphic representation, and the skin fat value of the second area can be assigned to the entire (facial) skin area outside the T-zone and displayed accordingly in the graphic representation.

[0036] In various embodiments, information about where the area(s) is / are can be provided to the electronic circuit device, for example by means of the user, e.g. by means of an input device (e.g. tapping a touch-sensitive display on which a schematic or photographic representation of the user is displayed, by means of text input via a keyboard or any other suitable input possibility).

[0037] In various embodiments, when a plurality of skin fat values ​​are present for a plurality of skin areas, the representation of the distribution of the skin fat values ​​can be carried out under the assumption that the area for which a higher skin fat value is determined is located in the T-zone and the area for which a lower skin fat value is determined is located outside the T-zone (but e.g. within the face), and the (e.g. extrapolated) representation can be carried out accordingly.

[0038] In various embodiments, the justification of the assumption can be increased by instructing the user (e.g., by means of the app or software) to select specific skin areas as the skin area(s), e.g., the first skin area within the T-zone (e.g., at a specific location within the T-zone, e.g., on the forehead or chin) and the second skin area outside the T-zone, e.g., on the cheek.

[0039] In various embodiments, the display device may be part of the device, e.g., a display of a smartphone, tablet, or iPad®. In various embodiments, the display device may be coupled to the device, for example, by means of a (e.g., wireless) data connection.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, in various embodiments, a quality value can be assigned to the determined skin condition, with a high quality value for normal / healthy skin and a low quality value for too dry / too oily skin.

[0041] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device can be configured to determine the at least one skin condition itself, ie directly, for example by means of software, e.g. an app, which can be installed on the electronic circuit device.

[0042] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device can be configured to indirectly determine the at least one skin condition, for example by the electronic circuit device causing the skin condition to be determined by means of the external data processing device, for example by means of software, for example an app, which can be installed on the external data processing device, for example similarly as described above for determining the skin fat content.

[0043] In various embodiments, the software / app for determining skin fat content may be the same as the software / app for determining skin condition. In various embodiments, e.g., in a case where skin fat content is determined by the external data processing device, whereas skin condition is determined by the electronic circuit device, or vice versa, different software / apps may be used for determining skin fat content and for determining skin condition.

[0044] According to the invention, a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 10 for determining a skin condition are provided. For this purpose, a skin fat content is determined. The device, the method, and / or the skin condition determined by means of the device or method can be used to determine the user's skin needs.

[0045] In various embodiments, a user should be able to find specific cosmetic products and / or receive care advice that can be tailored to the individual needs of the user's skin.

[0046] In various embodiments, software, for example an app, can be used to determine the skin fat content and / or to determine the skin condition. This app can be installed, for example, on a portable data processing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad® or similar). A camera, for example, for the visible light range, can be connected to the data processing device or integrated therein. The lipid content of the skin can be determined by means of the camera. Furthermore, a skin condition can be determined, for example, based on a skin fat content measurement for a single skin area or based on a plurality of skin fat content measurements for different skin areas, e.g., oily skin, normal skin, dry skin, or combination skin, which has both dry skin and oily skin areas.

[0047] In various embodiments, the determined skin fat content and / or the determined skin condition can be displayed or communicated as values ​​(e.g. with arbitrary units), as a verbal message, as a graphic representation (e.g. as a schematic pictorial representation showing which skin areas have oily / dry / normal skin), or similar, by means of the portable data processing device, e.g. by means of the software / app.

[0048] In various embodiments, at least one cosmetic product can be recommended to the user based on the determined skin condition. The cosmetic product can be suitable for maintaining or improving the user's skin condition (e.g., normalizing skin fat content). In various embodiments, the cosmetic product can comprise a cream, a lotion, an ointment, an oil, a soap, or the like.

[0049] In various embodiments, product recommendations for care products and / or individual care instructions tailored to the user can be derived based on the determined skin oil content and / or the determined skin condition. The product recommendations and / or care instructions can be provided, for example, via software, e.g., an app.

[0050] More and more customers want a product tailored to their individual needs. This can be a product manufactured specifically for the customer or a so-called "mass customized" product. With a "mass customized" product, individualization can be achieved by varying a few, but from the customer's perspective, crucial, features. These "mass customized" products are preferably based on the concept of modularization, meaning the product can be individually assembled from various modules / building blocks.

[0051] There are often numerous dependencies between the many different features / ingredients of a product, which can be expressed as "requirements" or "prohibitions." To obtain a clear product definition, it can be advantageous to use a product configurator during the ordering process. This configurator helps the customer select the features / ingredients and indicates the permitted / prohibited feature combinations, although the latter cannot then be selected.

[0052] For skin care products, the relevant product characteristics include, in particular, the chemical ingredients of the products, their physical properties, and the packaging type. A product configurator can, for example, help avoid the selection of chemically and / or physically incompatible ingredients or the selection of ingredients unsuitable for the determined skin oil content and / or skin condition. Conversely, the product configurator can predetermine or suggest the selection of ingredients suitable for the determined skin oil content and / or skin condition.

[0053] In various embodiments, the software / app that determines skin oil content and / or skin condition can be the same software / app that determines the product recommendation and / or skin care instructions. In various embodiments, different software programs / apps can be used for some or all of the various processes (determining skin oil content, determining skin condition, determining a product recommendation, determining a skin care instruction).

[0054] In various embodiments, the success of a cosmetic treatment, which may aim to positively influence the determined skin sebum content or the determined skin condition, can be monitored. In various embodiments, the software / app can enable monitoring and / or tracking of the results by means of a representation (e.g., a graphical representation) of the measurement results over time.

[0055] In various embodiments, information regarding the user's age, gender, general health, skin condition, dietary habits, and other behavioral characteristics (e.g., daily time spent outdoors / in the sun / in water, smoking habits, etc.) can also be used to determine product and care recommendations, e.g., via the software / app. This information can be requested from the user via the software / app in various embodiments.

[0056] In various embodiments, literature data can be used to assess the suitability of a care product and / or a care instruction for caring for skin with a given skin condition.

[0057] In various embodiments, a quality value can be assigned to each of a plurality of skin conditions. A care product and / or a care instruction can be rated as suitable for a skin condition if it can be expected, e.g. based on literature data, test results or empirical values ​​(which can be updated continuously, e.g. also during use of the software / app by the user, with new empirical values ​​from other users, see below), that with (e.g. regular) use of the care product and / or the care instruction the user's skin condition will be maintained or change to a skin condition with a higher (i.e. better) quality value.

[0058] In various embodiments, an assessment of the suitability of a care product to improve a skin condition can be confirmed or modified by incorporating the experience of other users with the same or a similar skin condition, for example, experience regarding treatment success. This can ensure that the user always receives an optimal recommendation.

[0059] In various embodiments, monitoring and tracking the effectiveness of a cosmetic treatment can be enabled in an objective and standardized manner. In various embodiments, the cosmetic treatment can have the goal of normalizing skin fat content.

[0060] In various embodiments, the effectiveness of a (e.g. cosmetic) treatment can be better understood and thus the selection of an individually suitable product can be or will be simplified.

[0061] In various embodiments, a user's motivation to perform a cosmetic treatment over the longer term can be increased, for example by means of a comparison with other users, e.g. by means of information on treatment success provided by the other users.

[0062] In various embodiments, the care recommendation can include a visit to a dermatologist or a beautician. In various embodiments, the product recommendation and / or care instructions can be determined directly via the software / app, and a booking process can be initiated. For this purpose, for example, the contact details of dermatologists and / or beauticians can be stored in the software / app and displayed to the user. In addition, the selection can be restricted using filters such as the postcode. In various embodiments, an appointment can be booked directly via the software / app. Alternatively, an appointment can be booked via a separate software / app, such as Treatwell.

[0063] According to the invention, a method for determining a skin condition according to claim 1 is provided, comprising: determining a skin fat content, comprising: for at least one skin area of ​​a user, contacting the skin area using a test area, wherein the test area is designed such that its light transmittance changes depending on a skin fat content, recording an amount of light using a digital camera, wherein the recorded light is emitted by a light source, passes through the test area and reaches the camera, wherein the digital camera is part of a portable device, comparing the amount of recorded light with a reference light amount for an uncontacted test area, and determining the skin fat content using the comparison, and determining the skin condition based on the determined skin fat content, and determining the care product using a product configurator,wherein the product configurator is configured to output a selection of ingredients suitable for the determined skin fat content and / or skin condition and to avoid the selection of chemically and / or physically incompatible ingredients or the selection of ingredients unsuitable for the determined skin fat content and / or skin condition,

[0064] In various embodiments, changing the light transmittance may comprise increasing the light transmittance with increasing the skin fat content.

[0065] In various embodiments, changing the light transmittance may comprise decreasing the light transmittance with increasing the skin fat content.

[0066] In various embodiments, the at least one skin area may comprise a plurality of skin areas of the user.

[0067] In various embodiments, the plurality of skin regions may include at least a first facial skin region in a T-zone comprising the forehead, nose, and chin, and at least a second facial skin region outside the T-zone.

[0068] In various embodiments, determining the skin fat content for the plurality of skin areas may comprise: contacting a first skin area by means of the test area, recording a first amount of light by means of the digital camera, wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source, passes through the test area and reaches the camera, cleaning the test area, contacting a second skin area by means of the cleaned test area, recording a second amount of light by means of the digital camera, wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source, passes through the test area and reaches the camera.

[0069] In various embodiments, the method may further comprise, prior to contacting the skin area by means of the test surface, recording the reference light quantity by means of the digital camera, wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source, passes through the uncontacted test surface and reaches the camera.

[0070] In various embodiments, the portable device may comprise a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad®.

[0071] In various embodiments, recording the amount of light, comparing the amount of recorded light with the reference light amount, determining the skin fat content and / or determining the skin condition based on the determined skin fat content can be carried out by means of an app.

[0072] In various embodiments, the light source may be part of the portable device.

[0073] The present disclosure also relates to a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation. The method may comprise: determining a skin condition according to various embodiments, and determining the cosmetic product and / or a care instruction based on the determined skin condition and a database comprising a plurality of skin conditions and a plurality of associated cosmetic products and / or care instructions, wherein at least one suitable cosmetic product and / or at least one care instruction is associated with each skin condition of the plurality of skin conditions.

[0074] Each skin condition can be assigned a quality value, and the cosmetic product and / or the care instruction can be suitable for at least one skin condition of the plurality of skin conditions if, based on stored experience with the cosmetic product, an improvement or maintenance of the quality value of the skin condition can be expected.

[0075] The method may further comprise updating the database based on new experience values ​​from a plurality of users.

[0076] Determining the skin fat content and / or determining the skin condition may comprise transmitting the recording, the determined amount of absorbed light, a result of the comparison of the amount of absorbed light with the reference light amount and / or the determined skin fat content to an external data processing device and receiving the skin fat content and / or the skin condition.

[0077] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device and the camera may form an integrated unit.

[0078] In various embodiments, the portable device may comprise a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad®.

[0079] In various embodiments, the portable device may further comprise a data exchange device for contactless data exchange.

[0080] In various embodiments, the test surface can be cleanable and reusable as a test surface after cleaning.

[0081] In various embodiments, the test area may be formed by a roughened surface.

[0082] In various embodiments, the device may further comprise the light source, wherein the camera, the electronic circuit device and the light source form an integrated unit.

[0083] In various embodiments, the device may further comprise an optical element, wherein the light source, the optical element, the test surface and the camera can be arranged such that the camera is accessible for the light of the light source by means of the optical element after passing through the test surface.

[0084] In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views, and for the sake of clarity, reference numerals have sometimes been omitted to indicate all corresponding parts throughout the figures. Parts of the same or similar type may be identified by a suffixed number or lowercase letter in addition to a common reference numeral. The drawings are not necessarily intended to be a true-to-scale representation, but rather the emphasis is upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which: FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B each show a device for determining a skin condition and illustrate a use of the device; FIG. 2 Skin regions for applying a method and apparatus for determining a skin condition are illustrated: FIG. 3A und FIG. 3B each show a device for determining a skin condition; FIG. 4A und FIG. 4B each show a test device with a test area for use as part of a device for determining a skin condition; FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a graphical representation of a result of a method for determining a skin condition; FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a cosmetic product for skin treatment; FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method for determining a skin condition; FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for determining a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation; and FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method for determining skin fat content.

[0085] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example and illustration, certain details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

[0086] The invention is defined by the appended claims. The following description of the figures is intended to facilitate a better understanding of the invention. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, specimen, or illustration." Any embodiments or configurations described herein as "exemplary" are not necessarily to be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or configurations.

[0087] FIG. 1A , FIG. 1B , FIG. 3A und FIG. 3B each show a device 100 (100a, 100b, 100c or 100d) for determining a skin condition of a user 102 according to various embodiments.

[0088] The skin condition can be determined by determining a skin fat content for at least one skin area 102H of the user 102 and using this to determine the skin condition. In various embodiments, the skin area 102H can be a part of the facial skin of the user 102. Alternatively or additionally, as in FIG. 2 is shown, which shows skin regions 102H for applying a method and a device for determining a skin condition, another or further skin area 102H, for example on an arm (skin area 102H6), a leg (skin area 102H4), a torso (area 102H3) and / or a hand (area 102H5) of a user can be used to determine a skin condition of this skin area. In a case that a plurality of skin areas 102H are used, at least one of the plurality of skin areas (e.g. 102H2) can be arranged in a T-zone 102HT of the face, and at least one further one of the plurality of skin areas (e.g. 102H1) can be arranged in a facial area 102HAT outside the T-zone.

[0089] In various embodiments, the device 100 comprises a test area 104F, a camera 108 and an electronic circuit device 116 and is configured to determine a skin fat content (ie a content of skin lipids on / in the skin) of the user 102 by means of the test area 104F, the camera 108, the electronic circuit device 116 and a light source 106.

[0090] For this purpose, in various embodiments, the test surface 104F is designed such that its light transmittance changes depending on the fat content of the skin with which it is brought into contact, ie the test surface 104F can become more or less light transmitting after contact with (fatty) skin, and to a greater extent the more fat-containing the skin is.

[0091] A test surface 104F (as part of a test device 104 or 104a), which becomes more translucent after contact with fatty skin (which leads to adhesion of skin fat 440 to the test surface 104F), is in FIG. 4A illustrated. In FIG. 4A the upper test device 104a shows the test surface 104F before contact with the skin, and the lower test device 104a shows the test surface 104F after contact with the skin. The test surface 104F can, for example, be a rough, e.g., roughened, surface of an otherwise substantially translucent, e.g., transparent, body 104K. The body 104K can, for example, comprise a transparent plastic or glass. In various embodiments, the body 104 can be designed to be so thin (e.g., made of plastic or a paper-like material) that the test surface 104F extends substantially through the entire body 104 and the entire body 104 becomes more translucent upon contact with skin fat, e.g., similar to sandwich paper. The body 104K with the test surface 104F can be rigid or flexible in various embodiments.

[0092] The surface 104F may, for example, be so rough, e.g., roughened, that it scatters a portion of the light 110 incident on it and allows only a relatively small portion of the incident light 110 to pass through the test surface 104F (and the body 104K) as the light 112 that passes through it (illustrated by the fact that the light 112 that passes through it is shown with fewer arrows, which are also shown thinner than the arrows that pass through it).In various embodiments, where the skin oil 440 adheres to the test surface 104F, the incident light 110 may be able to penetrate the test surface 104F more easily, allowing more light to pass through the test surface 104F in the form of the transmitted light 112 and reach the camera 108 (illustrated by the transmitted light 112 being shown with fewer arrows than the incident light 110, but with more arrows / thicker arrows than the light 112 that passed through the uncontacted test surface 104F).

[0093] A test surface 104F (as part of a test device 104 or 104b) which becomes less translucent (ie more opaque) after contact with fatty skin (which results in adhesion of skin fat 440 to the test surface 104F) is shown in FIG. 4B illustrated. In FIG. 4B The upper test device 104b shows the test surface 104F before contacting the skin, and the lower test device 104b shows the test surface 104F after contacting the skin. The test surface 104F can, for example, be a smooth, clean surface of a substantially translucent, e.g., transparent, body 104K. The body 104K can, for example, comprise a transparent plastic or glass. The body 104K with the test surface 104F can be rigid or flexible in various embodiments.

[0094] The surface 104F may, for example, be designed such that it allows a predominant portion of the light 110 incident on it to pass through as transmitted light 112, e.g., substantially all of the light 110 incident on it (illustrated by the fact that transmitted light 112 is shown with the same number of arrows of the same intensity as the incident light 110). In various embodiments, where the skin fat 440 adheres to the test surface 104F, it may not be possible for the incident light 110 to penetrate the test surface 104F, or it may only be possible for the incident light 110 to disturb the test surface 104F (e.g.,scattered or otherwise altered in one direction) so that less light is possible to pass through the test area 104F in the form of the transmitted light 112 (illustrated by the transmitted light 112 being shown with fewer arrows than the incident light 110).

[0095] In various embodiments, the test device 104 can be designed as a reusable test device 104. For reuse, the used test surface 104F can be cleaned, for example, using a solvent for grease, e.g., using alcohol or a soap-containing washing solution.

[0096] In various embodiments, the test device 104 may be designed as a disposable test device 104, from which removal of the skin fat may be impossible. In this case, the device 100 may be designed such that a supply of disposable test devices 104 can be stored on / in it.

[0097] In various embodiments, selection of the at least one skin region 102H and bringing the test area 102F into contact with the skin can be carried out as described above.

[0098] The test area 104F is or is arranged after being brought into contact with the skin in such a way that the camera 108 of the device is configured to receive light 110 emitted by a light source 106 after passing through the test area 104F (the light passing through the test area 104F is designated 112 in the figures). In other words, a recording of the light 112 that has passed through the test area 104F is made by means of the camera 108. This makes it possible in various embodiments, by means of the camera 108 and optionally by means of the electronic circuit device 116, to determine a quantity of light that passes through the test area 104F that was in contact with the skin of the user (i.e., a skin area 102H of the user 102), and to compare this quantity of light with a reference quantity of light that passes through an unused, i.e.passes or would pass through the test area 104F that is free of skin fat and clean. As described above, the reference light quantity can be predetermined and provided in various embodiments, or the reference light quantity can be determined using the device with a test area 104F that is free of skin fat and clean. In particular, in various embodiments in which the light source 106 is not part of the device 100, but rather essentially any conventional light source 106, the reference light quantity can be determined by means of the device 100, e.g., before or (with the test area 104F cleaned) after determining the amount of light that passes through the test area 104F provided with skin fat 440.

[0099] The camera 108 is coupled to the electronic circuit device 116, e.g., by means of a (wired or wireless) data connection 118.

[0100] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 can be configured, as described above, to determine a skin fat content of the user 102 (when measuring a plurality of skin areas 102H, the skin fat content of the respective skin area) by comparing the amount of light passing through the test area 104F provided with skin fat 440 with the reference light amount, e.g., a very high, moderately high, normal, moderately low, or very low skin fat content. In various embodiments, the skin fat content can be described or quantified in other ways, e.g., as a skin fat content number (e.g., with any unit) or the like.

[0101] Using the skin fat content (or the plurality of skin fat contents), a skin condition of the user 102 is determined as described above.

[0102] In various embodiments, if only one determined skin fat content or if uniformly determined skin fat contents for a plurality of different skin areas, the skin condition can correspond to the determined skin fat content, e.g. if a very high skin fat content is determined for the only, all or almost all skin areas, the determined skin condition can be very oily, if a very low skin fat content is determined for the only, all or almost all skin areas, the determined skin condition can be very dry, etc.

[0103] In various embodiments, if the skin fat content is determined inconsistently for a plurality of different skin areas, the skin condition can be determined as combination skin (ie skin that has both dry and oily areas), wherein different types of combination skin can be determined depending on the fat content of the dry or oily areas, e.g. as described above.

[0104] The device 100 for determining a skin condition according to various embodiments may be a portable device 100.

[0105] In various embodiments, camera 108 may be a camera for capturing digital images in visible light. "Visible light" may be understood to mean electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in a range of approximately 380 nm to 780 nm. Camera 108 may be suitable for capturing images, e.g., using a detector, to capture light from at least the entire wavelength range mentioned, or light from one or more sub-ranges of the wavelength range mentioned.

[0106] In various embodiments, as in FIG. 1A and FIG. 3A As shown for devices 100a and 100c, it may be unnecessary for light source 106 to be part of device 100. Instead, as described above, substantially any available light source may be used.

[0107] In various embodiments, as in FIG. 1A , FIG. 1B and FIG. 3B As shown for devices 100b and 100d, light source 106 may be part of device 100. For example, in a case where electronic circuit device 116 is part of a smartphone, a tablet, an iPad®, or a similar device, a light source commonly present in such a device may be used as light source 106.

[0108] In various embodiments, the light source 106 and the camera 108 may be parts of an integrated portable device, ie, form an integrated unit. In various embodiments, the integrated device may be sized to fit in a handbag or pocket. For example, the integrated device may have an area of ​​less than 36 cm 2 and a thickness of less than 2 cm.

[0109] In various embodiments, the camera 108 may be provided to be arranged at a distance from the test surface 104F, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3A is shown. In various exemplary embodiments, for example, a radiation angle and / or a light intensity of the light source 106 and / or a detection angle and / or a sensitivity of the camera 108 can be designed such that when the light source 106 and the camera 108 are arranged at a distance from the test area 104F, for example up to a predetermined maximum distance, a signal detected at the camera 108 has a sufficient (e.g., maximum) intensity for determining the skin fat content, as described in more detail elsewhere. This can be achieved, for example, by the test area 104F, on the one hand, being arranged so far away from the camera 108 that the largest possible portion of the area of ​​the test area 104F that is provided with skin fat 440 lies within the detection angle of the camera 108, but on the other hand being arranged so close to the camera 108 that as little light as possible (e.g.Scattered light) which has not passed through the test surface 104F and which could falsify or impair the measurement result, reaches the camera 108.

[0110] In FIG. 1A , 1B , 3A, 3B , 4A und 4B The test area 104F is shown as rectangular, which allows adaptation to an area captured by the camera 108. In various embodiments, however, the test area 104F may have any desired surface shape, e.g., a different polygon shape, a round or elliptical shape, or the like.

[0111] In various embodiments, the size of the test area 104F can be designed such that, on the one hand, it is predominantly detectable by the camera 108 and, on the other hand, it is manageable for the user 102. The test area 104F can, for example, have a size in a range from approximately 1 mm 2< to approximately 6 cm 2<, e.g., from approximately 1 cm 2< to approximately 3 cm 2<.

[0112] Depending, for example, on a thickness of the body 104K of the test device 104, it may be necessary to arrange the test surface 104F in a certain predetermined orientation with respect to the camera (either so that the test surface 104F points towards the camera 108 or so that the test surface 104F points away from the camera 108, for example in the case that the body 104K is comparatively thick, for example several millimeters), or the orientation of the test surface 104F with respect to the camera 108 may be irrelevant, for example in the case that the body 104K is comparatively thin, for example having a thickness of approximately 1 mm or less.

[0113] In FIG. 3A the distance is marked with d and shown as the distance between a transparent protective window in front of an entrance opening of the camera 108 and the test surface 104F.

[0114] In various embodiments, e.g. in a case where the test surface 104F reduces its light transmittance when it is brought into contact with the skin fat 440, and the transparent protective window is thus arranged in a housing (in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B for example, the housing of the mobile phone) is arranged so that the protective window can be brought into contact with skin (e.g. flush with the housing or slightly protruding from it, the transparent protective window forming the test surface 104F (in this case the distance d would be zero millimeters).

[0115] In various embodiments, the distance d may be in a range from about 0 mm to about 2 cm, e.g., in a range from about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

[0116] In various embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a holder 330 for arranging the test surface 104F in a suitable position (e.g., in the position described above or another defined, reproducible position) with respect to the camera 108, e.g., such that the camera 108 receives the light 112 from the light source 106 that has passed through the test surface 104F, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 3A und FIG. 3B is shown.

[0117] In various embodiments, the holder 330 can be designed such that it forms an integrated unit with the test surface 104F, e.g., is attached to the test device 104. In this case, the holder 330 can be designed such that the test surface 104F is in a position for contacting the skin of the user 102 or can be brought into such a position that enables this, and is in a (possibly further) position or can be brought into such a position that enables this, for being irradiated by the light 110 of the light source 106 such that the light 112 passing through the test surface 104F can reach the camera 108. For this purpose, the holder 330 can be provided in various embodiments with a movable mechanism, e.g., a folding or pivoting mechanism.Furthermore, in various embodiments, the holder 330 may be provided with a protective device (not shown) which may be arranged to protect the test surface 104F, e.g., when the device 100 is not in use.

[0118] To fix the test surface 104F with respect to the camera 108 (and possibly also with respect to the light source 106, see the FIG. 3B illustrated exemplary embodiment), the holder 330 may have a fixing device, e.g. a clamping, adhesive or screwing device, may be designed in the form of a sleeve for sliding on, or the like (in FIG. 3A the holder 330 is designed as a clamping device in FIG. 3B as an adhesive device).

[0119] In various embodiments, as in FIG. 3B As shown, the device 100 may include the light source 106, wherein the camera 108, the electronic circuit device 116, and the light source 106 may form an integrated unit.

[0120] In particular, in a case where a smartphone, a tablet, or an iPad® is used as an integrated unit, the integrated unit can conventionally be designed such that no light 110 from the light source 106 directly reaches the camera 108. In various embodiments (e.g., in the described or other cases), the device can further comprise an optical element 332, wherein the light source 116, the optical element 332, the test surface 104F, and the camera 108 can be arranged such that the light 110 from the light source 106 can reach the camera 108 by means of the optical element 332 after passing through the test surface 104F.

[0121] In various embodiments, the optical element 332 may comprise a mirror (e.g., a flat or curved mirror). Furthermore, in various embodiments, the optical element 332 may comprise a scattering element to generate uniform, diffused light 110 from the directed light, a diaphragm to limit the illuminated area on the test surface 104F to the area captured by the camera 108, and / or other optical elements such as lenses.

[0122] The optical element 332 may, in various embodiments, form an integrated unit with the holder 330, as shown in FIG. 3B shown. In various embodiments, the optical element 332 can be movably connected to the holder 330 so that it can be brought, for example, into a position in which, when arranged on the integrated unit of light source 106, camera 108 and electronic circuit device 116, it directs the light 110 towards the camera 108, and can be brought into a second position (e.g., by folding or pivoting) in which the integrated unit comprising holder 330, optical element 332 and, if applicable, test surface 104F can be stored in a space-saving manner (in which the integrated unit comprising holder 330, optical element 332 and, if applicable, test surface 104F is, for example, flat).

[0123] The electronic circuit device 116 can have a processor and a memory in various embodiments. The electronic circuit device 116 can be coupled to the light source 106 in various embodiments, for example in such a way that data exchange between the electronic circuit device 116 and the light source 106 is possible, for example by means of a data connection 118. The data connection 118 can have, for example, a data cable, an internal conductive connection and / or a wireless transmission, e.g. by means of WLAN, ZigBee, Thread or Bluetooth®. By means of the data connection 118, for example, control commands can be transmitted from the electronic circuit device 116 to the light source 106. The electronic circuit device 116 can be, for example, a smartphone, an iPad®, a tablet, a laptop or the like.

[0124] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 can be coupled to the camera 108, for example in such a way that data exchange between the electronic circuit device 116 and the camera 108 is enabled, for example by means of a data connection 118. The data connection 118 can, for example, comprise a data cable, an internal conductive connection, and / or wireless transmission, e.g., by means of WLAN, Thread, ZigBee, or Bluetooth®. Recorded data, for example, at least one digital image, can be transmitted or are transmitted from the camera 108 to the electronic circuit device 116 by means of the data connection 118.

[0125] In various embodiments (such as in FIG. 3A und FIG. 3B shown), the light source 106, the camera 108, and / or the electronic circuit device 116 may form a portable integrated unit. For example, the light source 106 and the camera 108 may form an integrated unit coupled to the electronic circuit device 116, or the light source 106 and the electronic circuit device 116 may form a portable integrated unit, and the camera 108 may be coupled to the light source computing device, or the camera 108 and the electronic circuit device 116 may form a portable integrated unit, and the light source 106 may be coupled to the capture device computing device, or the light source 106, the camera 108, and the electronic circuit device 116 may form a portable integrated unit.

[0126] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 can be configured to determine a skin fat content based on the recorded image. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the electronic circuit device can be configured to determine a skin condition based on the at least one skin fat content. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device can be configured to determine the at least one skin condition parameter and / or the skin condition itself, ie, directly.

[0127] In various embodiments, software, such as an app, can be used to determine skin fat content. This app can be installed, for example, on a portable data processing device. Accordingly, the app can be a "mobile app" (application software for mobile devices) or a web app (application software based on the client-server model).

[0128] In various embodiments, the skin fat content or the skin condition can be determined in a time-dependent manner (e.g. several times a day, daily, weekly, or with any other time dependency) and / or under different environmental conditions (e.g. in an environment with high or low humidity, in cold or hot conditions, etc.).

[0129] In various embodiments, calibration measurements (also referred to as reference measurements), which can be carried out, for example, in a laboratory, and the results of which can be stored in the data processing device, for example as part of the software / app, can be used to assign a light transmittance of the test area brought into contact with the skin to a skin fat content and / or to assign the at least one determined skin fat content to a skin condition.

[0130] In various embodiments, the determination of the skin fat content, for example as described above, can be carried out directly by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116, e.g. by means of the software / app which can be installed on the portable electronic circuit device 116.

[0131] In various embodiments, the skin fat content can be provided by means of the electronic circuit device, e.g., by means of the software / app. The skin fat content can be communicated, e.g., represented, e.g., by means of a display, e.g., on a screen of the portable electronic circuit device 116, for example, as a value (e.g., with arbitrary units), as a verbal message, as a graphical representation, or the like.

[0132] In various embodiments, the determination of the skin fat content, for example as described above, can be carried out indirectly by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116, for example by the electronic circuit device 116 initiating the determination of the skin fat content by means of an external data processing device 222. In various embodiments, the recording and / or the comparison result can be transmitted from the portable electronic circuit device 116, as in FIG. 1B shown, the external data processing device 222, for example a central computer or a cloud, which may, for example, have higher computing power and / or a larger storage capacity than the electronic circuit device 116, can be provided, e.g., transmitted to the latter. The external data processing device 222 can be configured to determine the skin fat content from the provided data, e.g., the recording or the result of the comparison, e.g., by means of software, e.g., an app, e.g., as described above. In various exemplary embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 can further be configured to receive and provide the skin fat content from the external data processing device 222, e.g., as described above.For data exchange with the external data processing device 222, the electronic circuit device 116 can, in various embodiments, comprise a device for wireless data transmission, e.g., via WLAN or Bluetooth®. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 216 can be configured to exchange data with the external data processing device 222 via a cable connection.

[0133] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 may be configured to determine a skin condition based on the determined skin fat content.

[0134] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 may be configured to determine the at least one skin condition itself, ie directly, for example by means of software, e.g. an app, which may be installed on the portable electronic circuit device 116.

[0135] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit device 116 may be configured to indirectly determine the at least one skin condition, for example by the electronic circuit device 116 causing the skin condition to be determined by means of the external data processing device, e.g. by means of software, e.g. an app, which may be installed on the external data processing device 222, for example similarly as described above for determining the skin fat content.

[0136] In various embodiments, the software / app for determining the skin condition parameter may be the same as the software / app for determining the skin condition. In various embodiments, e.g., in a case where the at least one skin condition parameter is determined by means of the external data processing device 222, whereas the skin condition is determined by the portable electronic circuit device 116, or vice versa, different software / apps may be used for determining the skin fat content and for determining the skin condition.

[0137] In various embodiments, determining the skin condition can comprise comparing the at least one determined skin fat content with entries in a database which can contain a plurality of skin conditions, each with at least one associated skin fat content. In various embodiments, if more than one skin fat content is associated with a skin condition, the skin area for which the skin fat content was determined in the database can additionally be registered in the database. In such a case, when determining the skin condition using a plurality of skin fat contents, the skin areas for which the respective skin fat content was determined can be taken into account, provided that the skin areas are known, e.g., were specified by the user, or can be assumed, e.g., because the user was instructed to bring the test areas into contact with the respective skin areas.

[0138] In various embodiments, the database may be stored in the portable electronic circuit device 116 and / or in the external data processing device 222.

[0139] When determining the skin condition, the skin condition can be determined as the skin condition of the user whose skin fat content (or skin fat contents) shows the smallest deviations from the skin fat content(s) assigned to the skin condition in the database.

[0140] In various embodiments, device 100 can be configured to provide the determined skin condition to user 102, e.g., via the software / app. The skin condition can be communicated, e.g., presented, e.g., by display, e.g., on a screen of portable electronic circuit device 116, as a value (e.g., with arbitrary units), as a verbal message, as a graphical representation, or the like.

[0141] In particular, in a case where the skin fat content is determined for a plurality of skin areas, providing the skin condition to the user may comprise a graphical representation, for example a display, e.g. by means of a display device (e.g. a screen / display).

[0142] FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, an illustration of a graphical representation 500 of a result of a method for determining a skin condition according to various embodiments.

[0143] In the graphical representation 500, the determined skin lipid content of the plurality of regions 104H1, 104H2 can be displayed with a coding based on the skin lipid content in a representation 102B of the user 102 (e.g., a schematic representation or a photo of the user). For example, in a schematic representation of a face of the user 102, regions of different skin lipid contents can be represented with different patterns 550, e.g., a drop pattern 550_1 for regions with high skin lipid content and a line pattern 550_2, which represents a tearing surface, for regions with low skin lipid content, wherein regions of normal skin can remain unpatterned. Alternatively, any other coding can be used, which can be explained, for example, in a legend.

[0144] In various embodiments, the device 100 may further be configured to determine a cosmetic skin treatment recommendation based on the determined skin condition and to provide it to the user 102.

[0145] In various embodiments, at least one suitable care product and / or at least one care instruction can be assigned to each of the plurality of skin conditions. The assignment can, for example, have been determined experimentally, e.g., in laboratory tests.

[0146] In various embodiments, literature data can be used to assess the suitability of a care product and / or a care instruction for caring for skin with a given skin condition.

[0147] In various embodiments, a quality value can be assigned to each of the skin conditions. A care product and / or a care instruction can be rated as suitable for a skin condition if it can be expected, e.g., based on literature data, test results, or empirical values, that with (e.g., regular) use of the care product and / or the care instruction, the skin condition of the user 102 will be maintained or change to a skin condition with a higher quality value.

[0148] In various embodiments, as in FIG. 1B As shown, an assessment of the suitability of a care product to improve a skin condition can be confirmed or modified by recording experience values ​​from other users 1020 with the same or a similar skin condition, for example, experience values ​​regarding treatment success. The experience values ​​can be provided by the other users, for example, to the external data processing device 222, for example, by means of a wireless data transmission 226. Alternatively, a transmission of the data via cable can also be used. Based on the experience values, the database in the external data processing device 222 and / or in the portable electronic circuit device 116 can be updated. This can ensure that the user 102 always receives an optimal recommendation.

[0149] In various embodiments, information regarding the user's age, gender, general health, skin condition, dietary habits, and other behavioral characteristics (e.g., daily time spent outdoors / in the sun / in water, smoking habits, etc.) can also be used to determine the product and / or care recommendations, e.g., by means of the software / app installed on the portable electronic circuit device 116 and / or on the external data processing device 222. In various embodiments, the information can be requested from the user 102 by means of the portable electronic circuit device 116, who can enter it into the electronic circuit device 116, e.g., by means of a keyboard, as a voice message, as a selection from a menu displayed by the portable electronic circuit device 116, or the like.

[0150] For example, if the user 102 provides as additional information that he spends a lot of time in the water or outdoors, the product and / or care advice recommendation based on the skin condition of the user 102 can, for example, recommend those associated care products to the user 102 that are not only suitable for his skin condition, but are also, for example, waterproof and / or provided with a UV filter.

[0151] In various embodiments, the product recommendation and / or the care instruction may be provided to the user 102, for example by means of the electronic circuit device 116, e.g. by means of the screen of the electronic circuit device 116. For example, the graphical representation 500 may be FIG. 5 be supplemented by (e.g. text) messages (not shown), e.g. the determined product recommendations and / or care instructions, such as "Apply cream A in the area with the drop pattern", "Use cleansing lotion B in the entire facial area", or similar.

[0152] FIG. 6 shows a diagram 600 illustrating a method for determining a cosmetic product for skin treatment. FIG. 6 can essentially illustrate those processes described elsewhere in connection with the method for determining a cosmetic product for skin treatment.

[0153] The method may comprise determining a skin fat content of the skin (at 610), for example as described above.

[0154] The method may further comprise determining a skin condition (also referred to as skin type) (at 620), for example as described above.

[0155] Based on the determined skin condition and / or the determined skin sebum content, a product or care tip recommendation can be determined (at 660). Only the skin condition determined based on the skin sebum content can be used (marked as path 670).

[0156] On the other hand (marked as path 615), in addition to the skin fat content, literature data (marked with 630), personal data (e.g. as described above, marked with 640), and / or data from other users, e.g. their experience values ​​(marked as 650) can also be used.

[0157] Furthermore, as shown in path 680, treatment success can be monitored (at 690) by determining skin sebum content (at 610). This can be particularly useful, for example, during and after a cosmetic treatment based on the product recommendation (at 660). Treatment success verified by the method for determining skin condition based on objective values ​​can increase user motivation (at 699).

[0158] As described above, based on the determined skin oil content and / or the determined skin condition, product recommendations for care products and / or individual care instructions that are individually suitable for the user 102 can be derived. The product recommendations and / or care instructions can be provided, for example, via software, e.g., an app.

[0159] The software / app that determines the skin condition parameter and / or skin condition can be the same software / app that determines the product recommendation and / or care instructions. In various embodiments, different software programs / apps can be used for some or all of the different processes (determining skin oil content, determining skin condition, determining a product recommendation, determining a care instruction).

[0160] Furthermore, the success of a cosmetic treatment, which may aim to positively influence the determined skin condition parameters or the determined skin condition, can be monitored. In various embodiments, the software / app can enable monitoring and / or tracking of the results by means of a representation (e.g., a graphical representation) of the measurement results over time.

[0161] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart 700 of a method for determining a skin condition.

[0162] The method may comprise determining a skin sebum content (at 710), comprising: for at least one skin area of ​​a user, contacting the skin area using a test area, wherein the test area is designed such that its light transmittance changes depending on a skin sebum content (at 710a), recording an amount of light using a digital camera, wherein the recorded light is emitted by a light source, passes through the test area and reaches the camera, wherein the digital camera is part of a portable device (at 710b), comparing the amount of recorded light with a reference light amount for an uncontacted test area (at 710c), and determining the skin sebum content using the comparison (at 710d), and determining a skin condition using the at least one skin condition parameter (at 720).

[0163] FIG. 8shows a flowchart 800 of a method for determining a cosmetic product.

[0164] The method may comprise: determining a skin condition according to various embodiments (at 810) and determining the cosmetic product based on the determined skin condition and a database comprising a plurality of skin conditions and a plurality of associated cosmetic products, wherein at least one suitable cosmetic product may be associated with each skin condition of the plurality of skin conditions (at 820).

[0165] Some of the embodiments are described in connection with devices, and some of the embodiments are described in connection with methods. Further advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the description of the device, and vice versa.

Claims

1. A method for determining a care product individually derived for a user (102), based on a determined condition of the skin, comprising: determining a skin lipid content, comprising: for at least one skin region (102H) of a user (102), contacting the skin region (102H) using a test surface (104F), wherein the test surface (104F) is designed such that its transparency changes depending on a skin lipid content; recording an amount of light using a digital camera (108), wherein the recorded light is emitted by a light source (106), passes through the test surface (104F), and reaches the camera (108), wherein the digital camera (108) is part of a portable device; comparing the amount of light recorded with a reference light amount for a non-contacted test surface (104F); determining skin lipid content using the comparison; determining the condition of the skin based on the determined skin lipid content; and determining the care product by means of a product configurator, wherein the product configurator is configured to output a selection of ingredients suitable for the determined skin lipid content and / or condition of the skin, and to avoid the selection of chemically and / or physically incompatible ingredients, or the selection of ingredients unsuitable for the determined skin lipid content and / or condition of the skin.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the change in transparency comprises an increase in transparency with an increase in the skin lipid content.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the change in transparency comprises a decrease in transparency with an increase in the skin lipid content.

4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one skin region (102H) comprises a plurality of skin regions of the user (102).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein determining the skin lipid content for the plurality of skin regions (102H) comprises: contacting a first skin region (102H) using the test surface (104F); recording a first amount of light using the digital camera (108), wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source (106), passes through the test surface (104F) and reaches the camera (108); cleaning the test surface (104F); contacting a second skin region using the cleaned test surface (104F); recording a second amount of light using the digital camera (108), wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source (106), passes through the test surface (104F), and reaches the camera (108).

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: recording the reference light amount using the digital camera (108) before contacting the skin region (102H) using the test surface (104F), wherein the recorded light is emitted by the light source (106), passes through the non-contacted test surface (104F) and reaches the camera (108).

7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein recording the amount of light, comparing the amount of recorded light with the reference light amount, determining the skin lipid content and / or determining the condition of the skin based on the determined skin lipid content is carried out by means of an app.

8. The method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein determining the skin lipid content and / or determining the condition of the skin comprises transmitting the recording, the determined amount of recorded light, a result of the comparison of the amount of recorded light with the reference light amount, and / or the determined skin lipid content to an external data processing device (222), and receiving the skin lipid content and / or the condition of the skin.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the test surface (104F) can be cleaned and is reusable as the test surface (104F) after cleaning.

10. A device (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) for determining a care product individually derived for a user (102) based on a determined condition of the skin, comprising: a test surface (104F) which is designed such that the test surface is suitable to be brought into contact with a skin region (102H) of a user (102), and such that its transparency changes depending on a skin lipid content; a digital camera (108) which is part of a portable device and is suitable for recording light emitted by a light source (106), wherein the light source (106), the test surface (104F), and the camera (108) can be arranged such that the recorded light reaches the camera (108) after passing through the test surface (104F); an electronic circuit device (116) which is configured to compare the amount of recorded light with a reference light amount for a non-contacted test surface (104F), to determine a skin lipid content using the comparison, and to determine the condition of the skin based on the determined skin lipid content, a product configurator for determining the care product, wherein the product configurator is configured to output a selection of ingredients suitable for the determined skin lipid content and / or condition of the skin, and to avoid the selection of chemically and / or physically incompatible ingredients, or the selection of ingredients unsuitable for the determined skin lipid content and / or condition of the skin.

11. The device (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) according to claim 10, wherein the portable device comprises a smartphone, a tablet or an iPad.

12. The device (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) according to claim 10, wherein the test surface (104F) can be cleaned and is reusable as the test surface (104F) after cleaning.