As someone who takes a fairly laissez-faire approach to skincare despite having major issues with acne and oiliness, I’m excited to see beauty technology on the rise. This year at CES 2025, I saw everything from LED face masks to smart mirrors appearing alongside the latest and greatest gadgets, but one of the most exciting entrants was L’Oréal’s new skin testing device, the Cell Bioprint.
Created in collaboration with Korean start-up 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 one five-minute test.
I had the opportunity to try it on the spot and I learned one lot about my skin, including some surprising insights that I will incorporate into my new skin care regimen.
Want a quick lowdown? Watch the time-stamped video below.
Look at
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 dabbing stickers on the apple of your cheeks 15 times before dipping them into a solution. The sticker lifts dead skin cells from your cheek, which the solution then removes, leaving only the telltale proteins identified by L’Oréal as biomarkers for various signs of skin aging.
Next, use one of L’Oréal’s “lab on a chip” test cartridges, onto which you will dab a few drops of the solution. Much like the lateral flow tests we were so familiar with during the pandemic, this cartridge soaks up the solution; and this is where the Cell BioPrint machine itself comes into play. It has an ATM-like slot where you slide the test cartridge in so it can be measured and analyzed.
While you’re waiting for the analysis to finish, 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 spits out your test again. cartridge and delivers your results on the connected tablet.
By the skin of my skin
@Pakinomist ♬ original sound – TechRadar
Now, as I mentioned before, I am no skincare guru, despite a now decades-long struggle with my own complexion. So anything that takes the guesswork out of me is a huge win in my book.
Suffice it to say, therefore, that I was pleased with the depth and detail of my skincare report from Cell BioPrint. Not only did it give me a good insight into my skin, but it also told me that my skin’s biological age 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 oiliness, I also learned that my skin barrier function is weak and that there are some unevenness in my skin. One of the most helpful realizations is that my skin absorbs retinol well, which means I can safely join the leagues of TikTok-informed skincare gurus in worshiping the famous form of vitamin A.
Even better, the device can even recommend specific products for your skin composition. Of course, the Cell BioPrint recommendations are solely from L’Oréal’s family of products, so there’s that to consider; but you can always research for yourself any product dupes or alternatives that fall within your price range or preference.
After spending years jumping from product to product, I feel much more confident in my skin care regimen after my demonstration of L’Oréal’s Cell BioPrint device; but it’s not just down to the technology itself. Cell BioPrint is intended more for department store and retail environments rather than home use, meaning users will have an expert on hand to help break down the results; an important element in today’s age of misinformation.
With a pilot due in Asia later this year, hopefully it’s only a matter of time before this technology lands in a store near you; I will move you to the front of the line to see if I can maintain my two year skin age gap.
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