Unilever's Pond's launches AI skin diagnostic tool internationally

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jul 19, 2019

Unilever’s Pond’s skincare brand is diving into artificial intelligence and has launched an AI chat tool that’s claimed to be able to match skincare products to customers’ needs more consistently than dermatologists can.

Said to be the world’s first AI-powered skin diagnostic chatbot, it’s called SAL (short for Skin Advisor Live) and uses a combination of technologies including Google’s neuro-linguistic tech and BrighTex BioPhotonics’s (BTBP) DeepTag skin diagnosis tech. Combined with chat functionality, it should be able to tell consumers which products are best for their skin issues in a user-friendly way.

Users simply have to upload a selfie, complete a short quiz and get their personalised results in less than a minute with the tech looking at skin health via uneven skin tone, spots, pimples and wrinkles.  

An important element is combining the various technologies with the brand’s own clinical research data to “deliver skin diagnoses of unparalleled accuracy,” we’re told.

Rohit Bhasin, who’s global brand VP at Pond’s, said the skincare specialist has been known for its expertise and its accessible approach for many years, but conceded that consumers can find product selection confusing and tech is one way to address this, while also helping customers to a deeper understanding of their skin.

“With SAL, consumers can build and optimise their skincare regime – via popular social messaging apps – through this science-based, data-led skin diagnostic tool,” Bhasin said.

So far, the app has been launched across various international markets, including Argentina, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa via Facebook Messenger and in Indonesia via messaging app Line. And Pond’s said that conversion rates have soared as a result.