The new wave of connected beauty devices

In Mintel’s 2015 consumer trend, Get Smart, we highlighted the possibilities of the John A Rogers’ electronic patch, an ultra thin electronic patch that is as comfortable as a temporary tattoo, blurring the line between electronics and biology. We predicted that such products would lead to commercialised skin sensors which would monitor hydration, temperature and bacterial levels and report the results to a smartphone.

L’Oreal’s recently reported partnership with Rogers lays the groundwork for these products, although it hasn’’t specified when they will reach the market.

However, Mintel’s predictions for such connected devices go much further than the skin. We also believe they have applications for hair accessories, make-up, fragrance, deodorants and oral hygiene.

So what kind of devices can we expect to appear in the new wave of connected beauty devices?

Hair Accessories: Future product launches could include brushes that use sensors to count hair fall and grips that can measure hair hydration

Skin Products: That use sensors to measure hydration, temperature, bacteria, all connected to send messages to your phone.

Colour Cosmetics: Conductive make-up, for example eyeliners, eyelashes and lipstick, with sensors. Cameras that report on skin tone and colour, feeding into a numerated chart of shade references that can be matched to foundation – something we are already seeing appearing.

Fragrance: We could see the introduction of products that can report on the precise pH value of the skin and recommend the type, smell and format of anti-antiperspirant deodorant.

Deodorants: We have already seen the emergence of smart deodorants, but this could be taken further to see products reporting on sweat levels and composition, plus recommendations of certain types, fragrances and formats of anti-perspirant deodorant.

Oral Hygiene: We have also seen smart toothbrushes, with smart mirrors to accompany them – but we could see more reporting on brushing efficacy, chemical balance of the mouth, bacteria levels and a breath smelling sensor.

Consumers increasingly want to be in control of their beauty regimen and what better way to be in control than to know exactly how your skin or hair is performing, minute by minute if necessary, and then have the right products at hand to keep them in perfect condition.

To read more about Mintel’s 2015 Consumer Trends and to download your free copy of the report, click here.

Vivienne Rudd, Director of Global Insight & Innovation, Beauty & Personal Care at Mintel, has been writing about the beauty industry for more than 20 years. The former editor of European Cosmetic News and Cosmetics International, Vivienne has travelled the world, interviewing leading industry executives and reporting on corporate, consumer, marketing and product innovation developments.