UK scientists plan to take cosmetic testing device worldwide

Professor Bob Imhof, chairman of Biox Systems, established through funding from the LSBU and the London Innovation Centre in 2002, will unveil the firms latest offering, the Aquaflux AF200, at the International Society for Biophysics and Skin Imaging conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 14.

The equipment is a hand-held instrument that measures water vapour loss when it is placed on a patch of skin using electronic sensors.

The resulting reading indicates how effective the skin barrier is, not only assessing the skin health, but also the efficacy of the product being tested.

"When testers require data on the effectiveness of a new shaving or cleansing product, for example, they measure the skin's barrier property before and after the product has been applied,"​ Professor Imhof explained.

"The AquaFlux tells you whether the skin condition has been improved or whether the barrier has been damaged by that product."​

The company claims that the new model has improved ergonomics and enhanced capability for measuring sweat TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss), which should make it a good choice for cosmetics companies wanting to test any product being developed for this purpose.

This should prove particularly popular for the increasing number of skin care products being developed to tackle signs of ageing, as an integral part of such formulations is the ability to retain levels of moisture in the skin.

But likewise, the product could also prove handy for the deodorants market, as Professor Imhof points out: "We also see the AquaFlux as having the potential for measuring sweat so that could open up other markets for us."​

Professor Imhof specifically hinted that the device could be used to help develop products aimed at athletic performance, breatheable fabrics and even lie detectors.