AI-based personalized skincare is evolving beyond simple diagnostic tools to recommend the most suitable cosmetics for users each day. By analyzing selfies, lifestyle factors (such as sleep, diet, and stress), climate (temperature, humidity, UV), and even makeup patterns, AI suggests a tailored skincare routine for that day.
Key services include: (1) Olay Skin Advisor — analyzes seven skin indicators from selfies to recommend products. (2) Function of Beauty — manufactures custom cosmetics based on over 50 input variables prescribed by AI. (3) Curology — combines dermatologists and AI for prescription skincare. (4) kissinskin AI Makeup — simulates nine K-beauty looks from selfies and analyzes makeup MBTI, personal color, and face shape.
It’s important to recognize the limitations of AI personalization. First, lighting and angle in photos can significantly affect results. Second, if the AI’s training dataset lacks diversity, it may be biased toward certain ethnicities or age groups. Third, some products labeled as "personalized" are actually only slightly modified versions of standard formulas.
Consumer guide: (1) Do not treat AI diagnostic results as absolute answers—they are guidelines. (2) Comparing several AI tools with the same photo reveals consistency among tools—more consistent results are more trustworthy. (3) Instead of buying every recommended product, refer to the suggested categories or ingredient groups and purchase from brands you already trust. (4) AI is good at recommending suitable colors but has limitations with textures—test textures in-store yourself.
Market data shows that AI-personalized cosmetics are the fastest-growing digital beauty segment. According to Grand View Research, the global AI beauty market will reach about USD 4.6 billion by 2026, with an expected annual growth rate of 19.7% through 2030. In Korea, Amorepacific’s IOPE Lab and LG Household & Health Care’s CN.P line operate their own AI diagnostic systems, while in Japan, Shiseido’s Optune differentiates itself with an IoT-based system offering daily prescriptions. In the US, Olay Skin Advisor and Function of Beauty have accelerated AI adoption by major beauty brands. Over the next five years, AI is likely to move beyond recommendations into the realm of custom prescription manufacturing.
To make the most of AI beauty tools, tracking your own skin changes is key. (1) Take selfies under the same lighting and at the same time each week, and compare every four weeks—check if AI-measured changes match your own perception. (2) Use AI tools as a "mirror" rather than a definitive answer—to discover patterns you may not notice, such as asymmetry or localized pigmentation. (3) Don’t rely on just one AI tool; compare two or three to assess consistency and differences. (4) Rather than buying new products solely based on AI results, use them as a guide to adjust your existing routine. Remember, AI is just a supporting tool—the final judgment should be based on your skin’s actual response.