Beauty tech takeover at CES 2026: AI and smart skin care proliferate

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, US, this week is featuring an array of cosmetics players alongside traditional tech heavyweights. The strong presence of beauty tech at the show suggests cosmetics companies’ digital capabilities are playing an increasingly important role in the beauty industry.

The show is widely regarded as “the world’s biggest tech event.” This year, global cosmetics companies are unveiling novel beauty technologies and connected consumer devices.

Amorepacific is showcasing its latest skin analysis technologies developed in partnership with leading tech players, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, and Samsung Electronics.

Meanwhile, Kolmar Korea took home two awards for its Scar Beauty Device — one in the Beauty Tech category and the other in Digital Health. The device offers scar treatment and cosmetic coverage in one system.

Perfect Corporation is also displaying a range of AI-powered personal color analysis and augmented reality (AR) beauty simulations at its booth.

Moreover, Appotronics, a China-based laser display company, is presenting three products focused on hair regrowth and skin rejuvenation for home use. The trio marks the company’s first expansion into laser-based personal wellness offerings.

Together, this participation suggests that technological sophistication is becoming increasingly central to how beauty brands differentiate and scale.

Big league collaboration

At CES, Amorepacific is unveiling Skinsight, an electronic skin platform developed with a research unit from MIT. The K-beauty company was awarded a CES Innovation Award in the Beauty Tech category for the platform.

The tool utilizes a sensor patch applied to the skin to measure multiple aging factors associated with consumers’ lifestyles and environments, such as smoking or UV exposure. It analyzes these real-time skin aging signals to predict changes in aging.

AI then processes the measured data to deliver personalized skin care recommendations tailored to the individual user. The tool taps into consumers’ heightened demand for targeted skin interventions.

Amorepacific is displaying an AI-powered skin analysis system integrated into Samsung Electronics’ AI Beauty Mirror.Amorepacific is also presenting an AI skin care and analysis solution developed with Samsung Electronics. The offering is integrated into Samsung’s AI Beauty Mirror. It uses optical diagnostics obtained from a built-in camera to assess pores, redness, pigmentation, and wrinkles, and suggests personalized recommendations accordingly.

The companies claim that the system can perform these diagnostics accurately since it is trained on a dataset of over 450,000 skin cases.

Once the system has made its analysis and recommendations, the results are connected to Amorepacific’s makeON beauty devices. From there, LED mask settings, for example, can be tailored to the user based on their initial skin analysis.

The joint technology is displayed at Samsung Electronics’ private exhibition, indicating that beauty tech is evolving from experimental to backed by major electronics players.

Prized for precision

Kolmar Korea’s Scar Beauty Device was awarded the CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award in the Beauty Tech category and a CES Innovation Award in the Digital Health category.

Users can capture an image of a scar using a smartphone app that is connected to the device. Integrated AI can analyze the scar using large data algorithms to classify it as one of 12 predefined types of scars.

The device then dispenses a customized treatment solution directly onto the scar.

Beyond scar treatment, the device can also spray makeup that is said to match the user’s skin tone. It utilizes piezoelectric microdispensing technology, enabling it to apply makeup with precision and without heat, much like inkjet printing.

Kolmar Korea plans to commercialize the technology in the first half of 2026 and will continue to expand its tech offerings across cosmetic development and service areas.

Kolmar Korea is presenting an AI-based device that treats and conceals scars in one system.“By consistently introducing differentiated beauty tech solutions that integrate AI and digital technologies, Kolmar Korea will continue to lead the global beauty tech industry,” a company official says. 

AI-informed beauty

Many beauty tech offerings at the show use AI. Among them, Perfect Corporation’s color analysis tool allows visitors to upload a photo of themselves at the booth and receive a personal color diagnosis within seconds.

The system recommends suitable makeup colors, hairstyles, and beauty routines tailored to the user’s analysis. They can then virtually apply makeup and hairstyles through an interactive AI and AR interface before making concrete decisions about the analysis.

The technology utilizes AI agent models and high-performance graphics processing units to provide accurate answers regarding skin diagnosis and personalized product recommendations.

Moreover, L’Oréal introduced two hair and skin technologies at the event, both of which it aims to launch commercially in 2027.

The French beauty giant’s Light Straight + Multi-styler device features smart sensors equipped with AI and machine learning algorithms, which enable the device to adapt to its users’ gestures for a personalized experience.

The second tech launch L’Oréal is displaying at the trade show is its LED Face Mask, developed in partnership with medical device company iSmart. It is made of ultra-thin, flexible silicone.

L’Oréal is unveiling a flexible LED face mask designed for light-based skin care.The mask features a skin-safe microcircuit that precisely controls the emission of two selected wavelengths of light — red light and near-infrared light. Each of these wavelengths works to visibly firm and smooth skin while evening out skin tone.

Lights on innovation

In light innovation, Appotronics has made its debut into personal wellness offerings with three laser devices: a Laser Hair Regrowth Cap, a Laser Hair Growth Band, and a Multi-Function Laser Beauty Device.

All three devices are built using Appotronics’ 650-nanometer low-level laser technology, which is designed to reach hair follicles and skin layers.

The Laser Hair Regrowth Cap offers full scalp coverage with 120 red lasers in a lightweight wearable design. It can be worn discreetly under hats.

The Laser Hair Growth Band is designed to deliver focused laser treatment to areas that require extra support, such as the hairline. Meanwhile, the Multi-Function Laser Beauty Device aims to reduce inflammation and pigment in the skin. It combines red lasers and LEDs. 

Appotronics notes that CES 2026 is helping it commercially scale its offerings. “The company now seeks new partners for all three products, then will present them for approval from the US Food and Drug Administration,” a company statement reads.