P&G, A*STAR and NTU set to disrupt skincare industry with Singapore’s first wearable sensor that measures skin feel

To mark the 10th Anniversary of Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) Singapore Innovation Centre (SgIC), a new innovative wearable skin sensor with the potential to disrupt the skincare industry was featured as the innovation highlight at the event.

Known as “HapSense”, the patent-pending device allows scientists to speed up their analysis of skincare cosmetic products by up to 10 times and yet cost just a fraction of the existing expensive skin-testing panels. Typical skin-test panels consist of skincare product reviewers who represent a defined user demographics depending on the nature of the study. Unlike conventional methods that rely on subjective assessments like consumer surveys, HapSense offers precise, objective and quantifiable measurements of tactile sensations, enabling a more accurate understanding of the human sense of touch.

Made possible through the advanced field of soft electronics, HapSense was developed through almost a decade of research & development collaboration between P&G SgIC, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

Shaped like a signet ring and worn on the fingertip, the sensor component of HapSense is attached to a smartwatch-like module, creating a portable, lightweight device that could be used for skin analysis even in consumers’ homes. As the sensor glides along the skin or any surface, HapSense captures real time data on friction and pressure that is independent of the consumer’s perceptions. This multidimensional sensing and tracking with high sensitivity provides objective and deep insights into the effects of a skincare product on the skin. The development of the HapSense device is truly a huge step forward in removing the guesswork from skincare product development, allowing rigorous assessment of the touch sensory experience.

By further harnessing advanced algorithms, scientists can then perform big data analysis using consistent data across the effects of different products over the years, unlocking insights that can accurately guide the formulation of skincare products or personalisation of skincare regimes for different skin types and demographics. HapSense also has the potential to expand its applications to testing surfaces and products in categories beyond skincare, e.g. fabric care, hair care, baby care, or feminine care.

The development of HapSense was one of many successful outcomes funded by a long-standing partnership between P&G and A*STAR. Since 2013, this collaborative partnership has been governed under a Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) between P&G, A*STAR, and various Institutes of Higher Learning and Healthcare groups in Singapore. Under the MRCA, the joint efforts have yielded more than 30 impactful publications in areas spanning computer vision, neuroscience, and skin biology, as well as ten patents and two new licensed technologies. Recognising the power of collaboration and the need to further strengthen innovation capabilities, P&G, A*STAR, and their partners have renewed a 5-year MRCA in 2023, amounting to S$20 million of joint funding for collaborative research projects.

Since its inception in 2014, the P&G SgIC has been at the forefront of pioneering research and development. SgIC is where the next generation of products are born for some of the world’s most loved brands such as Pantene, Olay, SK-II etc. Today, the P&G SgIC is one of Singapore’s largest private research facilities, with close to 500 R&D talents from 27 nations who represent a breath-taking range of expertise, from consumer understanding to chemistry, robotics to virtual reality, and microbiology to big data. Thanks to this world-class talent pool and its state-of-the-art facilities, the SgIC has achieved end-to-end capability to deliver breakthrough innovation and award-winning consumer products all across the region.

At the 10th anniversary celebration of the Singapore Innovation Centre, P&G looks back on the strides made possible through collective effort and shared vision. The unveiling of Singapore's first-of-a-kind technology marks not only a significant milestone in that journey but also paves the way for a future where innovation continues to drive positive change in the consumer goods industry and beyond.