Harmonic Skincare

Harmonic Skincare delivers a personalized, AI-powered skincare experience that adapts in real time to users' changing needs. By combining scientific insight, lifestyle data, and community feedback, the platform transforms skincare into a dynamic, intuitive, and trusted part of everyday life.

My Role

Product Designer
& Brand Development

Team

7 collaborators

Timeline

4 Months

Status

Pitched to VC

The Problem

The skincare market is fragmented and overwhelming. Users face three interconnected problems:

100 +

Brands available in major beauty retailers create decision paralysis

8.8 Billion

Hashtags on TikTok and Instagram with conflicting skincare advice

44%

of users distrust influencer recommendations due to sponsorships

75%

of users buy products that don't work and won't repurchase

Users bounce between reviews, influencers, dermatologist recommendations, and trial-and-error. There's no trusted, science-backed system that personalizes to their specific needs while validating recommendations through multiple credible sources

From 17 user interviews, we learned that:

Research

I conducted multi-method research to understand user decision-making and identify market gaps

  • User interviews (15+ participants): Explored how people navigate skincare decisions, what creates trust, and where they struggle

  • Competitive analysis: Evaluated existing skincare platforms to identify what personalization and trust features were missing

  • Market analysis: Researched the Baumann Skin Type system and other classification frameworks to find what users already understand

  • Trend analysis: Mapped social media conversations about skincare to understand pain points and misinformation

Core Insight: Users want personalized recommendations, but they don't trust algorithms alone.

They need convergence across three trust signals: scientific backing, expert validation (dermatologists), and peer confirmation from real people with similar skin types.

This insight shaped the entire product strategy. Rather than an algorithm alone, Harmonic layers personalization with human credibility and community proof.

The Solution

Here's how Harmonic works:

1

Onboarding: Simplified Assessment

Quick quiz + Selfie + product photo identify skin type and concerns

→ Users understand their skin needs without confusion

2

Recommendations: AI + Expert Validation

Personalized picks with clear “why this works for you”

→ Cuts research time from hours to minutes with trusted guidance

Community: Peer Proof

See what real people with similar skin use. Unsponsored reviews, not influencers

→ Builds trust through peer validation , not endorsements

4

Evolving Journey

Recommendations evolve as skin changes with seasons, environment, or age. System learns and improves

→ Dynamic companion, not a one-time recommendation tool

Design Process

User Journey

Defined the ideal user flow based on research insights: onboarding → personalized recommendations → peer validation → ongoing adaptation.

Wireframe

3

Rethinking Community

Onboarding

Outcome

Stakeholder Validation

VC Pitch

Presented to venture capital partners who validated the market gap, product-market fit potential, and business model viability

Growth Strategy

3- Year Roadmap

Documented expansion strategy: MVP → NYC pilot (Year 2) → US expansion (Year 3-5) → International + acquisition targets by Year 7

Impact

  • Validated product market fit through VC pitch and stakeholder feedback

  • Designed experience combining AI personalization, expert validation, and peer community

  • Created reusable framework for building trust in AI driven health/ wellness products

Insight

  • Transparency is non-negotiable: every recommendation must show "why this works for you"

  • Contextual trust (embedding peer validation into recommendations) outperforms isolated features like separate community tabs