Doctors often advise people to apply sunscreen during summer, but many tend to ignore this advice. Some believe it’s unnecessary or just a waste of money. However, sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. To highlight its importance, a scientist and researcher has developed a unique solution: a phone cover that resembles human skin and even gets sunburnt when exposed to sunlight.

Skincase

While the summer sun may appear bright and cheerful, it can be extremely damaging. To raise awareness about sun damage, French researcher Marc Teyssier, in collaboration with Virgin Media O2, has created a phone case named Skincase. This is not just any phone cover; it looks, feels, and even reacts like human skin. When exposed to strong sunlight and high UV levels, the cover starts to show signs of sunburn, serving as a reminder to protect your skin.

More Than Just a Quirky Gadget

In a press release, Teyssier explained, “My work often tries to bridge the gap between our digital lives and physical health. Skincase is an example of how technology can promote health awareness and positive behavioural change."

A study revealed that although people check their phones multiple times a day, they don’t apply sunscreen as frequently, even in high UV conditions. Skincase aims to change that behaviour. When users pick up their phones and see the sunburnt case, they are reminded to care for their own skin too.

Human-Like Texture

Skincase is crafted from silicone and UV-reactive elements. It is designed using a combination of 3D printing and hand sculpting, with tiny wrinkles and pores carved into it to mimic real human skin. It comes in three skin tones and changes colour when exposed to UV rays, just like actual skin does when sunburnt.

Chris Hindenach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said, “Our research found that phone usage spikes during holidays, so we created Skincase to help people realise how serious sunburn can be. The idea is to prompt users to take sun protection seriously."

Currently, Skincase is only a prototype and is not available for purchase. However, it has already sparked a lot of conversation and is being seen as a fresh approach to health-focused tech innovation.

Not the First Skin-Inspired Tech

This isn’t the first time Marc Teyssier has worked on human-like technology. In 2019, he designed artificial skin for phones that could respond to gestures like pinching. His aim was to make the interaction between users and their devices more lifelike—now, he is doing the same to encourage better health habits.