This flesh-like phone case is a creative reminder to protect yourself from the sun.
Researcher Marc Teyssier has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to create the Skincase — and it looks, feels, and burns just like human skin.
Teyessier was inspired to create the case after research revealed the staggering gaps between the number of times people check their phone during the hours with a high UV index and the number of sunscreen applications at the same frequency.
Thus, as the phone case starts to burn in real time, it serves as a reminder to slap on some sunscreen.
“My work often seeks to bridge the gap between our digital lives and our physical well-being. The Skincase is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to promote health awareness and encourage positive behavioural change,” Teyssier said in a press release.
Creepy and lifelike as it may appear, Teyssier insists it’s synthetic.
The creative combined silicone with UV-reactive elements to replicate the all-too-familiar feeling. He also used 3D printing and hand-sculpting techniques, and individually carved wrinkles into the engineered epidermis.
“With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, especially on holiday according to our new research, we’ve created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be while also promoting sun safety among holidaymakers,” Chris Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said.
The Skincase was created in three different skin tones, and each reacts to UV rays by changing colors, just like the real thing.
Teyssier is no stranger to synthetic skin. The researcher previously created an artificial skin that adheres to cell phones. Back in 2019, when he introduced the tech to the world, he told New Scientist that he simply wanted to “pinch [his] phone,” so he created a mobile accessory that could feel human touch and even reciprocate the sensation as a means of comfort.
As a sweltering summer continues to ramp up in the U.S. and a heat wave sweeps across Europe and Asia, a creepy — albeit effective — reminder of potentially harmful UV levels is welcome for many sunbathers.
Eager as you may be to get your hands on the latest bizarre creation, as of now, the Skincase is still a prototype and isn’t for sale quite yet.
