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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

417 AI-Guided Skin Care
skin type and the steps they should take to maintain healthy skin leads to better compliance
and improved outcomes, ultimately enhancing overall skin health.
For cosmetic chemists, the BSTS offers a more targeted approach to skincare product
design, because cosmeceutical ingredients and product characteristics are tagged to the
various BSTs. This helps chemists in the product formulation process when choosing
ingredients to include in the formulation. Instead of developing a general “antiredness
product,” they can design a product specifically for DSPW rosacea-prone skin types. This
allows them to combine soothing ingredients with skin lighteners that are less likely to
incite inflammation and incorporate them into a barrier repair formulation with anti-
aging ingredients that will not irritate sensitive skin. This targeted and precise approach
to skincare product formulation increases the likelihood of creating effective products that
meet the needs of specific skin types. Furthermore, cosmetic chemists can design products
for the most common skin types, increasing the chance of commercial success.
For consumers, the BSTS skin type octagons allow for easy identification of products that
are appropriate for their skin type. The skin type octagons are used on product packaging
(Figure 5), in online skin care retail (Figures 6 and 7), in customer reviews (Figure 8), and
on social media.
By leveraging the BSTS, dermatologists, skin care professionals, and cosmetic chemists
can offer more targeted and effective treatments, enhancing skin health and overall
satisfaction for their patients. The detailed and precise classification system underscores
the complexity of skin care and the importance of a tailored approach to meet individual
Figure 5. Brands can license the use of skin type octagons to display on product packaging. However, the
octagons are assigned to the products by STS, Inc. to ensure accuracy and integrity of the system. Some
brands consult at the formulation stage to ensure products meet the requirements for the target skin types.
(A) The secondary packaging can show all the BSTs for which the product is appropriate. (B) The primary
packaging can display an STS-approved seal and the skin type octagons for which the product is appropriate.
(C) Monochromatic skin type octagons can also be utilized on packaging for cost and aesthetic reasons. The
trademarked brands have been used with permission.