Digital Tools in Action: 3D Printing for Personalized Skincare in the Era of Beauty Tech
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
2.2. Formulations Development
2.3. 3D Printing
2.4. In Vitro Studies—Physical Analysis of the Patches’ Hydration Performance
2.5. In Vivo Studies—From Sensitization to Hydration Efficacy and Personalization
2.5.1. Sensitization—Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT)
2.5.2. Hydration Efficacy
Conventional Methods
Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS)
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM)
2.5.3. Biometric-Preference-Driven Personalization
Personalization Survey
Skin Needs
Size and Shape
Skin Conditions
Color and Fragrance
2.5.4. Affective Analysis
2.6. Statistical Analysis
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Sensitization Assessment
3.2. Hydration Efficacy
3.2.1. Conventional Methods
3.2.2. Advanced Methods
3.2.3. Insights into the Physical Mechanisms Governing Patches’ Hydration
3.3. Biometric-Preference-Driven Personalization
3.3.1. From Size and Shape to Skin Needs
3.3.2. Skin Conditions
3.3.3. From Consumer Insights to Preferences
3.4. Affective Analysis
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
3DP | 3D Printing |
AI | Artificial Intelligence |
AUC | Area Under Curve |
CRS | Confocal Raman Spectroscopy |
FACS | Facial Action Classification System |
G | Gauge |
HRIPT | Human Repeat Insult Patch Test |
ICDRG | International Contact Dermatitis Research Group |
INCI | International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient |
LD | Line Distance |
M | Metal |
Ocl | Occlusive |
Por | Porous |
POST | Plastic Occlusion Stress Test |
RCM | Reflectance Confocal Microscopy |
TEWL | Transepidermal Water Loss |
Vol | Volunteer |
Appendix A
Personalization Survey
- Q1. How many times a month do you usually use face masks? Selecet 1 option.
- Q2. Why do you like using face masks? What is your skincare goal? (Open Question)
- Q3. If you could create your own face mask, what would be most important to you? Select up to 2 options.
- Q4. In terms of color, what would be your preference? Indicate 2 color options. (Open Question)
- Q5. What are your fragrance preferences? Select 1 option.
Volunteer ID | Response |
---|---|
Vol01 | Intense treatment and care. |
Vol02 | To get a clear skin, reduce signs of fatigue and prevent aging. |
Vol03 | I like using face masks because they give my skin that extra boost it needs. It is a relaxing ritual that helps to deep cleanse, hydrate or just leave my skin feeling refreshed and glowing. My skincare goal is to have healthy skin that looks and feels great. |
Vol04 | Hydration. |
Vol05 | Hydration. |
Vol06 | Fondness for self-care and the feeling of velvety skin after using a mask. Aim for intensive hydration. |
Vol07 | Hydration. |
Vol08 | Improve my skin appearance. |
Vol09 | Hydration. |
Vol10 | To have a good-looking, moisturized and beautiful skin. |
Volunteer ID | Response | Preferences |
---|---|---|
Vol01 | I liked the product in box 2 better. It was more refreshing. Easier to apply. It is much more comfortable when applied to the skin. The surface area also helped a lot. The color is also very pleasant, and I can notice a subtle shine in the product. For me, 2 was without a doubt the best. | Box 2 Refreshing effect Comfort Patch size Color |
Vol02 | I liked box 2 more, because in addition to the product being light, it also has a larger skin coverage area. I felt it was more refreshing. I feel that the product in box 1 has an oily application, while the product in box 2 does not, I really liked the sensation. | Box 2 Light Patch size Refreshing effect |
Vol03 | Overall, I liked both products. However, the patch from box 2 was the one I liked the most. I feel the color is more attractive. I feel a good freshness. And I feel that the fact that it is bigger, covers a larger area of the face and that’s why I liked this factor more. I feel like it could be part of my skincare routine. | Box 2 Color Refreshing effect Patch size |
Vol04 | I liked the product I put on the left side (box 2) better. Since it has a larger area, it covers more. I like this part the most, because it will give me better hydration. And the feeling I have of refreshed and awake skin is greater and lasts longer with this product, compared to the other. | Box 2 Patch size Hydration Refreshing and awake effect |
Vol05 | I would say box 2. I like the color. I feel it has good structure, consistency and resistance. It feels much more comfortable on my skin than when applying the product from box 1. The one from box 1, I feel, is very dense. While the one in box 2 is much more comfortable. | Box 2 Color Structure Comfort |
Vol06 | I liked the one in box 2 better. It’s more comfortable. It doesn’t feel so wet on the skin. I liked the smell. The shape is also very pleasant and doesn’t bother me as much. I liked the color. It’s nice, I liked the one in box 2 better. | Box 2 Comfort Fragrance Patch Format Comfort Color |
Vol07 | I liked box 1 better. The feeling of freshness continues to be felt more in box 2 than in box 1. However, I enjoyed the application of the first one and prefer the texture of the patch itself. | Box 1 Application Texture Box 2 Refreshing effect |
Vol08 | I liked the first one better, more pleasant on the skin. Fresher. And I didn’t like the smell of box 2. | Box 1 Comfort Refreshing effect |
Vol09 | I liked the patch on box 2 better. Not only is the color blue (I love it). It’s also wider and more comfortable on the skin. I feel that a larger area is being moisturized. Besides having to apply the gel beforehand, which gives the skin more freshness. Whereas the one in box 1, apart from being difficult to pick up due to its slippery texture, doesn’t leave the skin as moisturized and doesn’t smell as good. | Box 2 Color Comfort Patch size Refreshing effect Hydration Fragrance |
Vol10 | The one in box 2, for the moisturizing sensation and the icy feeling it gives. | Box 2 Moisturizing sensation Refreshing effect |
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Bom, S.; Pinto, P.C.; Ribeiro, H.M.; Marto, J. Digital Tools in Action: 3D Printing for Personalized Skincare in the Era of Beauty Tech. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040136
Bom S, Pinto PC, Ribeiro HM, Marto J. Digital Tools in Action: 3D Printing for Personalized Skincare in the Era of Beauty Tech. Cosmetics. 2025; 12(4):136. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040136
Chicago/Turabian StyleBom, Sara, Pedro Contreiras Pinto, Helena Margarida Ribeiro, and Joana Marto. 2025. "Digital Tools in Action: 3D Printing for Personalized Skincare in the Era of Beauty Tech" Cosmetics 12, no. 4: 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040136
APA StyleBom, S., Pinto, P. C., Ribeiro, H. M., & Marto, J. (2025). Digital Tools in Action: 3D Printing for Personalized Skincare in the Era of Beauty Tech. Cosmetics, 12(4), 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040136