French technologist Marc Teyssier has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to unveil Skincase, a hyper‑realistic, silicone phone cover that mimics human skin—and even sunburns in direct sunlight. Designed as both a conversation starter and a health tool, this prototype phone case uses UV‑reactive pigments to darken and appear “burnt” when exposed to UV rays—just like genuine skin.
Available in three or four lifelike skin tones, each case is 3D‑printed, hand‑sculpted with realistic palm lines and wrinkles for a disturbingly visceral texture. The aim? Combatting our digital obsession by creating a tangible reminder to reapply sunscreen. As Teyssier explains, phones receive far more UV exposure than our skin, yet hardly ever trigger protective behavior.
“O2 hopes the visceral reaction to the case’s sunburn effect will remind users to protect their own skin”—says Christian Hindennach, chief commercial officer at Virgin Media O2. With rising temperatures and increased UV risks globally, the Skincase offers a clever, if eerie, prompt for sun safety.
It’s still a prototype and not yet available for purchase. But this innovative blend of bio‑mimicry and behavior‑change tech signals a creative new direction for health‑aware gadgets.
