What does a phone case made of human skin indicate?

The "human skin" phone case reacts in the sun. Photo: Virgin Media O2 .

From colorful, eco-friendly accessories, the market has recently seen the launch of phone cases made from human skin. Called Skincase, the product is a collaboration between the British mobile network O2, researcher Marc Teyssier, and The British Skin Foundation.

It sounds creepy, but the phone case isn't actually made from real human skin. The synthetic material on the outside is designed to feel and react to the environment like real human skin.

Essentially, the Skincase will "sunburn" when exposed to UV rays, simulating the damage that sunlight causes to our bodies. Users will then need to reapply sunscreen. To create this phone case, Teyssier combined 3D printing techniques with flexible plastic filaments and silicone.

The Skincase is designed with three different skin tones. Each version reacts to UV rays by changing color, just like real human skin when exposed to sunlight. The case surface is coated with a special composite that reacts to ultraviolet rays, realistically simulating the effects of sunlight and the harmful effects of UV rays.

Marc Teyssier previously created a type of synthetic skin that could be applied to phones. When he first introduced this technology to the public in 2019, he shared that he had created an accessory that could sense human touch and even respond to that sensation, as a way to provide comfort.

The manufacturer's message aims to raise health awareness among consumers. In the context of rising temperatures in many parts of the world during the summer, organizations want to promote awareness of the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.

O2 says Skincase was created to mitigate the significant disparity between user awareness and behavior regarding sun protection. The network points out that more than half of Britons (56%) check their phones three or more times during the hottest hours of the day, from 11 am to 4 pm.

However, only 20% of the population reapply sunscreen with the same frequency. Even more concerning, 9% don't use sunscreen at all during peak hours when UV rays are strongest.

“I’ve always tried to create projects that connect digital life and people’s physical health. Skincase is a prime example of how technology can be leveraged to raise health awareness and encourage positive behavioral change,” Teyssier shared.

Users won't be able to buy it right away because it's a limited edition product. According to Techradar, Skincase was created to spark discussion, as a reminder that people should care about their skin as much as they care about their phones.