How To Use AI To Find Your New Favorite Beauty Products

With numerous AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Bing AI available for everyday use, life has undoubtedly become a bit easier. That is, of course, if one knows how to use those tools to simplify their tasks. Creating meal plans and workout routines is as easy as telling the AI tool what you specifically need, but when it comes to skincare and beauty, can these tools help determine what suits you?

In hopes of finding answers, we turned to board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Mariano Busso, M.D., best known as the creator of the "BussoLyft," a minimally invasive anti-aging procedure. "We are in the early stages of AI and just exploring its possibilities," Dr. Busso tells us exclusively. "In time, this may prove an effective tool as far as skincare and other beauty info is concerned, but there are potential hurdles that consumers should be aware of before committing to go along with what AI data you're given." And while time will only tell if AI can be an impromptu customized beauty advisor, here are some things you need to know before trusting it to assemble your skincare and makeup routines.

Skincare routines are very personal, and any dermatologist will tell you that a professional skin examination is necessary in order to create a custom routine that works. But can AI come anywhere close? "I would hesitate to rely on AI for any complex or sophisticated cosmetic issues, such as lightening your skin, diminishing your fine lines and creases, clearing away unsightly acne, and the like," Dr. Mariano Busso explains exclusively to Glam. "AI is only as good as the data it receives, so while you may think that the algorithms will accurately analyze your pH levels, moisture content, ingredient interactions, etc. I wouldn't be so sure," he adds before concluding, "At this stage, AI is really no match for in-person evaluation."

So, while seeing a professional is still the best way to ensure your skin concerns are targeted properly, if you do decide to give the AI skincare routine a go, make sure you give it what it needs. The more information about your skin that you provide, the closer to a good skincare routine you should get — at least in theory. This means that you need to let the AI know your skin type, your age, your skin concerns, your current skincare routine, and any other information that could affect its answer. Of course, knowing what exactly you need to provide the AI with can be difficult — after all, the dermatologist is normally the one asking you the questions — so starting with a prompt in which you ask the AI to tell you what information it would need to know in order to provide you with a professional, customized, and dermatologist-like skincare routine is a good way to start.

When it comes to having AI recommend your makeup, Dr. Mariano Busso feels a lot more enthusiastic. "AI could be effective in projecting how you may look using certain makeup or techniques," he tells Glam exclusively. "Making a mistake here is not going to cost you anything but your time and money... You won't walk away with scars or regrets," Dr. Busso adds.

Since makeup can be easily removed, trying a routine from AI can't really hurt. Once you share things like your face shape, features you want to accentuate, features you want to minimize, your skin undertone, and what the makeup is for (everyday wear, drag, face-painting, etc.), AI will provide you with suggestions that can be as detailed as needed. The great thing about this method is that you can also provide it with a list of makeup you already have, and it will create a makeup look for you based on that. Of course, if you let it know more details about your skin, eye, and hair colors, as well as beauty and fashion trends you like, it can take all of those into account when suggesting a makeup look customized for you.

It's difficult to predict just what the future of AI will be in the world of beauty, but there's no denying that it will have one. For now, AI can be used as a tool, but its advice and suggestions can't be treated equally as those of a dermatologist or makeup artist.

"Consider AI as a tool to augment — rather than substitute — advice from your dermatologist or other skincare professional," Dr. Mariano Busso shares exclusively with Glam. "It may also come in handy for things like advising you on moisturizers that best suit your skin type, developing a list of makeup and skincare products in your price range, pulling tips from women's and beauty magazines, etc." While that could hold exciting possibilities for the future, for now, nothing can replace a human who can determine what your skin needs are or what makeup suits you in-person.