Virtually every industry is using additive manufacturing and 3D-technologies in different ways, and to different ends. The beauty and cosmetics industry has been included in this list over the past few years. There are many reasons why cosmetic companies have begun to use 3D-printing. Prominent among them is the increased customizability of products, even according to a customer’s skin type or physical characteristics through 3D scanning techniques, for example. But that’s not all, large brands in the beauty world have also resorted to additive manufacturing to produce “cruelty free” products and more sustainable, lightweight and optimized packaging. We have gathered some of the most innovative 3D-printed cosmetics applications and projects in the beauty world to shed light on the latest trends.
Beauty Products and 3-D Printing
3D printing at LUSH
LUSH is a beauty brand that produces products such as soaps, body creams and other cosmetics. The brand has become a household name in the market of plant-based beauty products. A few years ago, LUSH invested in 3D printing, specifically to improve its R&D processes, but also to design molds, tooling and finished products. As an example, the company used 3D printing to create molds in the form of koalas for soaps as part of its campaign to help the animals affected by the Australian bushfires of 2020. LUSH has Formlabs 3D Printers.
Photo credits: LUSH cosmetics
3D Printed Nails by Mani.me
Painting one’s nails can be a time-consuming process, prone to mistakes and messes. Fake nail may be too small or uncomfortable. Mani.me provides a solution by offering 3D printable, tailored-fitted custom nails. Mani.me’s revolutionary process allows them to create unique nails for every customer using the measurements and data from images they receive. Starting with pictures of their hands, the company can generate a 3D model to determine the exact size and shape necessary for each person’s nails. After which, the clients’ choice of design is 3D printed onto a set of nails and delivered. Your next set of nails could be delivered by a 3D-printer, allowing you to enjoy a fashion freedom that is unrestricted by standard nail painting.
Photo credit: Mani.me
Mascaras 3D Printed
The 3D printed mascara is one of most popular cosmetic products. Chanel was the first to launch a mascara in 2017 with a 3D-printed brush using SLS technology. Chanel’s Le Volume Révolution mascara has a shaped brush that is irreplicable with other technologies and was the result of the study of over a hundred prototypes. This was the first mass-produced 3D product of its kind, which has created new possibilities in the cosmetics industry. Behind the production was the company Erpro Factory 3D, which also managed a similar project for the Albéa brand. Called “Make 3D yours”, this service makes it possible to create customized brushes (up to ten different shapes in a week!) This service allows customers to create a unique product using 3D-printed cosmetics.
Photo credits: Albéa
Mink Beauty – Mink Printer
Grace Choi, a Harvard graduate, founded Mink Beauty in 2014. The company’s flagship product is called mink printer, a small 3D printer that is able to print makeup. It is easy to use: just choose a picture from the internet, and then click on print. The printer prints the photo with eyeshadows so you can use your brush to apply makeup with the colors of your choice. It is small, portable and lightweight, so you can carry it wherever you go. It prints at a rate of more than one million colors per second. To be able to print you only need wifi and the Mink mobile application, isn’t it amazing?
Mink Beauty. Photo credit:
Combining 3D Printing and Skincare
Neutrogena uses 3D printing for a variety of purposes
Neutrogena – a company based in America devoted to cosmetics and personal products – is one of the largest players in the beauty market. It uses technology to run its business, just like many others. Neutrogena first came to our attention with its launch of Neutrogena Skin 360. This is a system that analyzes the user’s skin to identify their needs and create “MaskIDs”, 3D printed facial masks that adapt to each user. Later, Skin360 SKINSTACKS were created in collaboration with Nourished, 3D-printed nutritional supplements for skin. Each SKINSTACK is vegan, sugar-free and has seven layers that can be customized to each individual’s needs. Neutrogena is certainly exploring the possibilities of additive manufacture in this area in the future.
SKINSTACK 3D-printed supplements (Photo credits: Neutrogena).
BASF’s Customized Masks and Eye Patches
In the beauty industry, we’ve seen a trend where makeup is used less to hide imperfections. Instead, users turn to products that target their skin directly to address issues such as wrinkles, acne, dark circles and redness. As every individual is different, products should be tailored to their specific needs. In 2021, BASF and Natural Machines partnered to create 3D-printed customized eye patches and face masks. The project would combine an unique 3D Printer from Natural Machines along with specialty ingredients by BASF. Users could receive masks that can adapt to different face sizes, and be able to incorporate various benefits in different zones of the mask. This is a unique use of 3D-printing in the beauty industry. As of yet, there is no information on the technology’s release in 2022.
The 3D printed masks are expected to be created with a solution based upon Natural Machine’s Foodini 3D printer (pictured above) (photo credits: Natural Machines)
Dior and 3D Skincare Technology
Dior is one of the many big companies that are using 3D printing. Paris has given the French luxury company a jump start on artificial intelligence skin-analysis technology. The company’s dermatology and neurology expertise allowed it to better identify minor skin imperfections. Customers receive tailored product recommendations. In line with Christian Dior’s vision of making women happier and more beautiful, the fashion house has developed the Dior AI Skin Analyzer. This process uses 3D scans to analyze the six dimensions on the skin, and then offers AI-based solution for the main two problems found. This technology is a breakthrough in skin care.
The AI Skin Analyzer is a 3D scanner. (Photo credits: Dior)
Skincare products can be improved by using 3D bioprinting
3D bioprinting is another form of 3D print used in cosmetics. It is done to customize and test products. In collaboration with French biotech firm Labskin Creations and pioneer Chanel, a similar project was launched. Cell culture and 3D printing techniques were used to reproduce human skin in order to study skin imperfections better and create more effective skin care products. Labskin Creations and JALA Group – one of China’s leading cosmetics companies – have collaborated on an innovative project. JALA Group used bioprinting to create the first Asian skin-model and test more Asian-friendly products. In addition to creating better and more targeted products, this technology also removes the need of controversial animal testing.
Photo credit: Labskin Creations
Explore the uses of 3D printed packaging
L’Oréal and its 3D Printed Packaging for Cosmetics
When we speak about cosmetics, it is impossible not to mention one of the world’s leaders, L’Oréal. This French company is a leader in cosmetics, from perfumes and mascara to other products. You may not realize that they were also early adopters of additive manufacturing. L’Oréal has been using 3D printing since 1993 for prototyping, tools and molds for packaging. Then in 2019, it made the jump with its very first 3D printed packaging for the La Maison Jasmins Marzipane Lancôme collection, a limited series of 50 ultra-luxury perfumes. Since then, it has only continued, partnering with HP in 2021 to expand its packaging production with adjustable ‘pucks’ made through HP’s dedicated Digital Manufacturing Network. Learn more about this project by watching the video below.
MAMEHA and Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability and environmental awareness are among the most important values today in every industry. And many trailblazers have set out to create a better world for us and our planet. MAMEHA is a Japanese company that has introduced sustainability to the beauty sector with its goal of 100% recyclable, zero-waste containers. Their minimalist packaging uses 4 different building materials in 3D printing to create a glass pipette and polymer container. The result? MAMEHA uses 80% less glass compared to standard containers. The UV-protected bottles also keep the contents safe for longer, and are easily disassembled. Next time you’re looking for bottles that will hold serums, toners or other skincare products to store, think about the stylish and ethical approach MAMEHA takes.
Photo credit: MAMEHA
Viktor & Rolf: Flowerbomb
Viktor & Rolf, the famous fashion and perfumery house, was founded in 1993 and has always stood out for its glamorous and luxurious collections. Flowerbomb, the most popular fragrance of the brand over the years, has become almost a household word. In order to celebrate the success of this product, fifteen years after its launch they created an exclusive version. They were unable to produce the packaging using traditional methods so had to use new technology. The vessel’s creation was carried out in collaboration with L’Oréal, using 3D printing machines from the company Carbon, who built just fifteen exclusive units. Each of these fifteen units cost $2,500 each. They were made by printing resin pieces, polishing them, assembling them manually, and adding a rose-gold plating. This edition is considered by many to be the perfect blend of traditional techniques and new technologies. Not for the first time, perfumes of such a caliber have also been created. Formula 1 had also produced three limited edition bottles in 2020 using 3D-printed methods. The most surprising thing besides the design was its cost – no less than $10,000 a bottle!
Photo credits: Viktor & Rolf
Cosmogen’s Additive Manufacturing Connection
Cosmogen, a French packaging company that develops cosmetics packaging, has recently turned to 3D printing metal to create cream applicators in more complex and varied shapes. The company is able to imagine different shapes for better application of care products around the lips or eyes thanks to 3D technology. Additive manufacturing allows the company to adapt their production volume according to demand. The company has not revealed which printing method it uses at this time, only that Cosmogen works with a third party.
Photo Credits: Cosmogen
Which 3D-printed cosmetics product did you find most interesting? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.