- Presentation of technology for long-term stable skin monitoring in an international journal

In collaboration with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Amorepacific developed an ultra-thin wearable skin monitoring device that monitors the skin for an extended amount of time in a stable manner even when the outside environment changes. Amorepacific R&D Center presented a paper titled long-term reliable physical health monitoring by sweat pore-inspired perforated electronic skins in the renowned international journal, Science Advances on June 30, 2021.

Researchers have been working to monitor the human skin more accurately and in a stable manner. However, as the human skin is in direct contact with the world outside of the body, it is affected by sweat and other external changes, which makes it difficult to consistently monitor the skin. Amorepacific R&D Center sent researchers to MIT and worked with Prof. Kim Jee-hwan, who has developed a flexible semiconductor thin film manufacturing technology. Through three years of joint research, Amorepacific R&D senior researcher Han Ji-yeon developed an ultra-thin wearable skin monitoring device using a perforated pattern that resembles the pores.

It has been developed as an electronic skin with a built-in flexible sensor the has excellent air permeability and can stay put even as a person sweats. It stretches along the curves of the body and remains stable for hours, without being affected by body movement. It allows for extended monitoring of the skin but does not cause much irritation to the skin. It is expected that it can be used to monitor and analyze the skin not only in daily routines but also in different conditions, for example during long rides or exercise. Through monitoring the skin and tracking its changes in a variety of different conditions, the device can help collect data from individuals to develop a cosmetic product for specific circumstances and skin conditions.

"The development of electronic skin technology has always been challenging but through the joint research, Amorepacific has been successful. It is a meaningful achievement. We sincerely hope that the outcome of our research contributes to the study of human skin properties," said Park Young-ho, the head of Amorepacific R&D Center. "Amorepacific R&D Center will continue to develop various functional and bespoke products through continued research for the beauty of customers around the world."

Amorepacific first opened its cosmetics research lab in 1954, the first of its kind in the Korean beauty industry, and ever since then, it has continued with technological innovations and R&D in collaboration with universities and institutions both in Korea and abroad, through its long-established research network.