The year 2020 altered the landscape of many industries, but its effect on beauty and grooming has been particularly revolutionary, including the demand for new skincare technology. ‘The past year has led to a steep rise in sleep loss and poor eating habits, not to mention a lack of Vitamin D thanks to stay-at-home orders – all of which has had a huge impact on our skin,’ says Jo Barnard, founder of London-based design agency Morrama.
‘At the same time, with salons being forced to close, consumers have had to take their beauty regimes entirely into their own hands, leading to a rise in DIY pampering at home.’ In response to this new reality, Morrama has created Future Skincare, a collection of three conceptual product designs that imagine the kind of skincare technology our new post-2020 world will call for.
The most inventive of Morrama’s creations is The Patch, a facial sticker designed to combat breakouts with a unique temperature-changing mechanism. The product’s heat function releases a vitamin-rich serum into the skin and simultaneously increases blood flow to promote optimum surface rejuvenation. The alternative cool-down function can be used before or after the heat treatment to reduce redness and soothe irritation, both common effects of mask-wearing.
Morrama’s The Masque is also designed to fight breakouts, but this time specifically around the mouth and nose. An adjustable mask designed to fit any head size, The Masque transmits heat and bacteria-killing blue light to combat the new and pervasive problem of ‘maskne’.
The last of the three products is The Masseur, a kind of electronic gua-sha or face massager. The product’s antimicrobial copper alloy ball releases soothing vibrations that reduce muscle tension and support lymphatic drainage.
Together, Morrama’s designs address the irritation, sallowness, and acne that can be caused by persistent stress, sleep-deprivation, lack of sunlight, and mask-wearing. Although these specific designs are still in the prototype stage, products like these may soon become a mainstay of skincare regimes. §
