Portable Skin Lipid Detection Device Using Light Transmittance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in determining their individual skin condition and selecting suitable cosmetic products without expert advice, leading to challenges in assessing treatment effectiveness and maintaining long-term motivation for cosmetic treatments.

Innovation Solution

A portable device comprising a test surface, camera, and electronic circuit, which determines skin fat content by measuring light transmittance changes upon contact with the skin, allowing for the assessment of skin condition and personalized cosmetic product recommendations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users use cosmetic products without expert advice, then they can access cosmetic treatments independently, but they cannot objectively assess treatment effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent cosmetic treatment accessVSAvoidTreatment effectiveness assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently determine their skin condition and receive personalized product recommendations through automated analysis. The camera captures skin images, the processor analyzes skin parameters (oil content, hydration, texture), and the system generates care recommendations without requiring expert intervention, allowing users to self-assess and self-manage their skincare routine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring skin condition parameters over time and comparing them against target values. The processor evaluates treatment effectiveness by analyzing changes in skin oil content, hydration levels, and texture metrics, then adjusts product recommendations accordingly, enabling users to objectively assess whether their cosmetic treatments are working

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If users lack means to assess treatment result at home, then expert advice remains necessary, but users cannot maintain long-term motivation for cosmetic treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTreatment result assessmentVSAvoidLong-term treatment motivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device enables users to perform reliable skin condition assessments at home without requiring visits to dermatologists or beauty salons. The system independently captures skin images, processes them to determine skin parameters, and provides actionable insights, making professional-grade assessment accessible and convenient for regular home use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains user motivation by providing continuous, objective feedback on treatment progress. By tracking skin condition parameters over time and displaying improvements (or areas needing adjustment), the system creates a visible record of treatment effectiveness that reinforces user commitment to long-term skincare routines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If generic cosmetic products are used, then product availability is high, but product suitability for individual skin needs is low

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCosmetic product suitabilityVSAvoidProduct selection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines skin condition for specific facial regions (T-zone, cheeks, forehead) separately, identifying areas with different oil content, hydration levels, and texture characteristics. Based on this localized analysis, it recommends different cosmetic products or application strategies for different facial zones, enabling highly personalized care that addresses specific regional needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system analyzes multiple skin parameters (oil content, hydration level, texture, pore size) and uses these quantitative measurements to match users with cosmetic products suited to their specific skin profile. By transforming subjective skin assessment into objective parameter-based evaluation, the system efficiently recommends appropriate products without requiring complex manual analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to objectively assess their skin condition and receive tailored cosmetic product recommendations, improving treatment effectiveness and user motivation by providing personalized and effective skincare solutions.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the skin area with a test area, wherein the test area is designed in such a way that its light transmittance changes depending on a skin fat content

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmittance: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3586110B1Method and device for determining a care product individually derived for a user on the basis of a determined skin fat content
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3586110B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3586110B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3586110B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method in various embodiments for determining a condition of the skin. The method can comprise: determining a skin lipid content, having: for at least one region of the skin (102H) of a user, contacting the skin region by means of a test area (104F), wherein the test area (104F) is configured in such a way that the transparency of the test area changes, depending on a skin lipid content, recording a quantity of light by means of a digital camera (178), wherein the recorded light is emitted by a light source (106), passes through the test area (104F), and reaches the camera (108), wherein the digital camera (108) is part of a portable device, comparing the quantity of recorded light with a reference quantity of light for a non-contacted test area (104F), and determining the skin lipid content by using the comparison, and determining the condition of the skin on the basis of the determined skin lipid content.