We are witnessing a growing demand for standardization and objective assessment of different physiologic & pathologic conditions as well as for monitoring the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities. In the era of evidence-based medicine, we see the same trend followed by cosmetic studies too. There are devices which were invented in the past that answers some of the hottest questions regarding the parameters & devices suited to test specific claims.

With a surface area of up to 2 square meters, the skin is the largest organ of the human body. Skin acts as an outer covering and barrier – not only is skin health crucial to the overall health of an individual, but skin appearance has a significant societal impact as well (body image, communication, etc.). Nowadays skin physiology assessments have moved rapidly from a descriptive approach to a deeper understanding of biophysical and biochemical processes in the epidermis, namely epidermal barrier function, stratum corneum hydration, and the underlying regulatory processes.

An increasing number of non-invasive methods have been developed to determine skin properties in an objective way. The subjective, visual or tactile evaluation of skin conditions can now be quantified and numerical values can be obtained. The research with non-invasive biophysical measurements now offers reliable and reproducible approaches for product testing in the cosmetic industry as well as in basic research.

Research with non or minimal-invasive devices to study skin physiology and the effect of cosmetic products has entered its 7th generation. In the early 1970s, the instruments were often the size of a cupboard or table. In labs, individual instruments were built and mostly the prototypes of them were manufactured. So, many of the instruments have not actually made their way out in the industry. Initially, cosmetic companies used to design individual instruments to test their specific products. Later, low-cost small, stand-alone devices were built on larger scales and thus became accessible to the broader public and institutions. Thereafter, instruments which can attach to the PCs were made. But now, the whole physiology lab can fit in one suitcase. They are available with way more easy calibration checks and thus allow good validation studies and interlaboratory comparisons. There are many instruments in the market which are available to give precise details. Some of them are discussed below.