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packaging talked about how the product was indicated for dry skin. Several companies
changed their packaging and product positioning based on this feedback to be consistent
with the BSTS.
PERSONALIZED SKIN CARE AND SUSTAINABILITY
In addition to receiving skin type octagon designations, each product is labeled
with characteristics such as being pregnancy safe, being allergen free, pH, texture,
comedogenicity, spreadability, absorption, greasiness, after-feel, and fragrance. This detailed
product labeling allows further customization based on consumer or patient preferences.
Additionally, products are tagged with sustainability attributes such as being vegan, being
gluten free, being marine-safe, having recycled packaging, and being cruelty-free. This
emphasis on sustainable ingredients and packaging aligns with the growing demand for
environmentally friendly personal care products and allows consumers to create a custom
skin care routine with sustainable products without compromising efficacy.
CUSTOM SKIN CARE ROUTINES
Once the products that were effective for each skin type were identified, the next step was
to test combinations of products from one or more brands into a skin care routine based on
skin type. This involved careful selection of products for each step of the routine, because
the chemical characteristics of products change when combined together. Ingredients, pH,
and other attributes greatly impact the efficacy of the skin care routine by changing the
chemical components, solubility, skin penetration, and efficacy of other products. This
resulted in development of more than 40,000 regimen templates. These templates are
populated by products that meet the criteria of the specific step in the skin care routine. From
2004 to 2015, this was done manually and was very time consuming, which limited the
number of products that could be used in the STS system. In 2015, software was developed
that allowed for even more levels of customization. The STS Regimen Management System
(RMS) software was developed based on the knowledge gained from these decades of
testing combinations of products from various skincare brands on dermatology patients
of different skin types around the world. Now the RMS is licensed by dermatologists and
other medical providers to provide customized skin care routines in their medical practices
and to refill the products for their patients online.
LEVELS OF CUSTOMIZATION
There are two layers of customization in the STS System used for e-commerce and in
office skin care retail. The first layer of customization is chosen by the doctor or medical
provider. They are given categories of products that meet the required specifications, and
they choose which products from 60+ brands they want to populate the skin care routine.
This allows skin care routine customization at the medical provider level—doctors in one
office can prescribe their favorite skin care products, while medical providers in another
office may have different product choices based on their preferences and experience.
The medical provider or doctor uses the RMS infrastructure to build the optimal skin
care routine for their patient and have the option to add prescription medications into

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the correct skin care routine step. The prescribed skin care routine is available on the
medical provider’s corresponding e-commerce site at SkinTypeSolutions.com, along with
application instructions and educational material about the patient’s skin care concerns.
Patients who go directly to the website without first seeing a dermatologist receive the
“default” product recommendations based on the majority preferences of dermatologists
using the system.
The second layer of customization comes in when the customer or patient can replace
products in the regimen steps with other products approved for that position. This allows
them to choose by brand, price, packaging, sustainability, or other preferences. They have
the confidence to know that the products recommended to them are good for their skin
type, work well with other products in the routine, and are in the correct step of their skin
care routine.
These two layers of customization allow for a truly personalized custom skin care routine
that works with any skincare brand and allows consumers to combine products from many
brands into a skin care routine. This software is used by medical practices and online
e-commerce platforms, allowing individuals to shop for skincare products tailored to their
BST. The combination of correct product choice, compliance, and consistency leads to good
outcomes and repeat purchases.
LEVERAGING AI IN SKIN CARE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REGIMEN DESIGN
The BSTS, with its robust diagnostic and product mapping capabilities, forms an ideal
foundation for AI-driven skin care personalization. AI enables rapid analysis of vast skin
care datasets, pattern identification in user preferences and repurchase behavior, and
complex product matching. The detailed, systematic data infrastructure underlying RMS
is key to its scientific validity and the reproducibility of good outcomes.
Looking ahead, AI models are being trained with the immense knowledge of the BSTS
of skin type profiles, ingredient research, and regimen design principles. With chatbot
interfaces, the goal is to provide consumers and patients with an intelligent, responsive
tool that can guide skincare selection and mimic the level of product advice an in-person
dermatologist would provide. By engaging consumers in a “conversation” about their skin,
such AI-driven solutions can enhance compliance and outcomes.
BENEFITS OF USING THE BSTS
The BSTS offers numerous benefits for researchers, cosmetic chemists, skin care professionals,
and patients. The standardized definitions and classification system facilitate better
communication and comparison of research and experiences, ensuring that everyone in the
industry uses the same language and criteria when discussing skin types and treatment
options. The BSTS allows for the creation of highly personalized skin care routines that
address each skin type’s unique needs, enabling professionals to develop targeted treatment
plans that are more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach. The system also helps predict
skin reactions and outcomes, allowing professionals to make informed decisions and avoid
potential adverse reactions, ultimately improving the efficacy of skin care treatments. The
BSTS encourages patient compliance by providing clear, easy-to-understand guidelines for
skin care routines. Engaging, communicating, and educating patients about their specific