Marta Gonçalves, Sofia Brito, Chaeyeon Song, Yungkyu Han, Bum-Ho Bin, Byung Mook Weon
26 February 2025

Thin film deposition is essential in the cosmetic industry, where formulations such as foundations and concealers rely on uniform layer formation to conceal pores and texture irregularities for a natural and even appearance. However, variations in skin topography, influenced by factors such as aging, genetics, and environmental exposure, can significantly affect the behavior of these films. Aging, in particular, leads to increased skin roughness and wrinkles, creating challenges to achieve consistent cosmetic deposition in diverse age groups. This study investigates the impact of age-related topographical changes on cosmetic thin film deposition and introduces a model for standardized, age-specific evaluation of cosmetic performance. Using X-ray microtomography, we compare skin topography from a cohort of the Korean population segmented into young and aged groups. A PDMS-based model is then constructed using these skin topographies, and thin film deposition is assessed both on human-derived skin positives and on the assembled model. This approach demonstrates the potential of artificial skin models for the precise quantification and evaluation of film coverage. In addition, we propose an improved model that incorporates key factors such as skin porosity and sebum production to increase realism. By exploring the interactions between skin morphology and cosmetic behavior, this method offers valuable insights into optimizing formulations to meet the diverse needs of consumers.

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