NuSkin / Rosti
AgeLOC LumiSpa

Smart, connected cleanser
for improved facial skincare

NuSkin and Rosti partnered with IDC to develop the software and hardware electronics as well as the detailed design engineering through to production for the connected facial cleanser, AgeLOC LumiSpa.

A better solution for the home wellness market

Global beauty and wellness company, Nu Skin, wanted to develop the next generation of their ageLOC facial cleansing device, the LumiSpa iO. The device combines a soft silicone treatment head with micropulse oscillation to cleanse and lightly massage the face. As beauty innovators, the company wanted to add new IoT and software features, as well as improve mechanical elements to make the device whisper-quiet, smooth, and introduce induction charging. All this, while reducing the overall cost of production.

With cost being a key driver for the project, IDC’s team began by looking at the previous model and researching potential areas which could be improved and costs reduced. The team found that the last generation of the device relied on costly pressure sensors to detect the force of the device on the skin. Recognising this was a savings opportunity, IDC’s mechanical engineers developed an inexpensive new system which instead monitored the motor current to calculate the pressure, greatly cutting component costs. This was used in combination with low-cost motion sensors which resulted in a sophisticated user tracking system to ensure that users were cleansing their face with the correct pressure and coverage. The tracking data was collected and transmitted by Bluetooth to an app for users to monitor.

Software & hardware development enabling ongoing firmware updates

This new IoT feature required a complex software upgrade, and hardware which enabled ongoing firmware updates. Another new feature was RFID (radio frequency identification) which was used to provide a radio frequency tag on each of the interchangeable massage heads of the device, providing additional IoT data on how the device was used. With sound and vibration being a concern of the previous product generation, IDC’s engineers used a brushless DC motor (BLDC) which was quiet, durable and offered better control. They also focused on noise isolation to further reduce vibration and sound. The device was extensively prototyped and tested to ensure optimal performance and sealing.

Design for manufacture (DFM) was considered throughout the development with the aim of making the product as high quality and cost effective as possible in production. For this, IDC worked closely with the manufacturer in China, Rosti, which was involved throughout the design process from concept and specification, right through to mass production. As an additional unexpected challenge, the project took place during the Covid pandemic which meant that certain components, including the electronic processor, were unavailable. As a result, the team had to adjust the design to suit the supply - all this was done to meet tight timescales. The final product has been highly successful, taking Nu Skin into new territory.