Learning About the Skin You’re In: A Skinpedia Case Study
Project Overview
Problem
As skincare sales continue to increase, there emerges a need for a mobile platform that educates consumers on creating an effective skincare regimen and maximizing the full potential of the products they use.
Solution
Skinpedia, a skincare routine generator and term glossary
Role
As this was a solo project, I was responsible for the user research, persona development, wireframing, visual design, and prototyping that went into creating Skinpedia.
HelloAva
Strengths
HelloAva offers virtual skincare consultations
Consumers can take a short quiz about their skin issues and goals and view product recommendations
Weaknesses
In order to view product recommendations, consumers must pay a $10 consultation fee
Fee is used as a credit towards their first purchase on the site
Skinskool
Strengths
Skincare Compare allows consumers to find dupes (alternatives) for products that are otherwise inaccessible to them due to factors like price and formulation
Products listed on the site are accompanied by detailed descriptions beyond active ingredients used
Weaknesses
Products listed on the site do not have customer reviews
Have to look for them on other websites like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora
Though each site offers valuable information on skincare products such as active ingredients, product dupes, and customer reviews, there isn’t much discussion or guidance on how to use products within a routine.
User Surveys
To learn about the experiences that potential users of Skinpedia were having in regards to establishing and following a skincare routine, I conducted a survey via Google Forms with 48 participants.
User Interviews
Based on findings from the user surveys and interviews with selected participants, I came to the following conclusion:
Consumers recognize the importance of having (and sticking to) an effective skincare routine but often struggle with finding products and ingredients that work for them.
Persona Development
With the insights gained from talking with potential users, I developed two personas, Jackie and Robyn, to build Skinpedia around. Due to time constraints, I focused on Jackie and her needs as a full-time event organizer, wife, and mother. Suffering from acne and hyperpigmentation, she wants to establish a skin routine that will address those issues but doesn’t have the time to visit a dermatologist or to shop for products online.
Information Architecture
Site Map
User Flows
Creating user flows allowed me to better visualize how I wanted users to interact with the final prototype.
Sketches
Wireframing
Brand Development
To reinforce the idea of Skinpedia being an app that empowers consumers to make better purchasing decisions with their skincare, I went with a flesh-toned color palette.
Usability Testing
Using Maze, I conducted a usability test of my prototype with 19 participants on the following three tasks:
Task #1
Create a Routine
79% of participants were successful in creating a routine
Task #2
Save & Access a Routine
100% of participants succeeded in saving and accessing a routine.
Task #3
View the Skin Dashboard
Only 17% of participants were able to view the skin dashboard.
In looking at the low success rate of the last task as well as the additional feedback from participants, the onboarding process for Skinpedia had to be improved. Because there weren’t any visual cues in the prototype that pointed to the existence of a skin dashboard, participants struggled with finding it.
Hi-Fi Prototype
Next Steps & Takeaways
Due to time constraints, I couldn’t design a fully fleshed-out prototype. If given more time, I’d include a buy-in feature that would allow for users to purchase products within the app as well as the ability to link their Sephora/Ulta accounts so they can receive rewards for their purchases.