What if the point of sale became, Also, a scientific laboratory ?… The proposal formulated by the French deeptech Byome Labs : in three minutes, a microbiome test to guide the choice of cosmetics in stores.
What if the main obstacle to the effectiveness of cosmetics was not their formulation?, but rather their incompatibility with each skin ? In a global market of more than 650 billion euros and lack of truly objective tools, the choice of products still relies largely on intuition. From a microbiology laboratory, French deeptech Byome Labs responds to this challenge with Byome Derma, a skin microbiome diagnosis solution directly at the point of sale, without dedicated machine. Thanks to strips inspired by antigenic tests and an artificial intelligence application developed with dermatologists, it becomes possible to analyze the skin very quickly and recommend products on scientific bases. By making microbiome diagnosis a new standard in beauty retail, such a development could well fundamentally redefine the way consumers choose their beauty products.
A biological diagnosis in just a few minutes
The solution is based on strips capable of analyzing the balance of the skin microbiome as well as certain markers of inflammation. From a simple sample, a mobile application interprets the results. Thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms, it generates a personalized routine recommendation. Unlike microbiome tests based on DNA sequencing (which require a visit to the laboratory and several days of analysis), Byome Derma provides an assessment in minutes, directly at point of sale, without logistics or specific equipment.
The point of sale becomes a scientific diagnostic space
With this technology, the store is no longer a simple place of distribution : it becomes a space for scientific diagnosis, capable of objectivizing beauty advice and transforming the customer experience. In a few minutes, the observation makes it possible to directly link the condition of the skin to a selection of compatible products, thus creating a fluid path between analysis and recommendation. This approach offers brands a differentiating experience, while reinforcing the relevance of the advice delivered in store. To integrate this technology into their retail journeys, several international cosmetics groups have already engaged in advanced discussions with Byome Labs.
A performance lever for brands
By providing a measurable diagnosis, brands can indeed improve the relevance of recommendations, limit disappointing purchases and strengthen loyalty. At point of sale, this approach also makes it possible to increase conversion by immediately directing the customer towards products compatible with their skin, while reducing returns and abandonments linked to unsuitable choices. The microbiome being evolving, the test can be repeated, creating new customer touchpoints and paving the way for a more ongoing relationship.
A deeptech in the acceleration phase
“We bring scientific diagnosis to the point of sale”, summarizes David Suissa, founder in 2023 and CEO of Byome Labs. The start-up relies on expertise in microbiology, immunology and artificial intelligence to analyze the skin microbiome. In order to constitute a unique database allowing the linking of microbial profiles and product compatibility, the company has already analyzed more than 5,000 microbiomes and tested more than 200 cosmetic products. In order to industrialize its solution, she recently raised 3,6 million euros. It plans a large-scale deployment in distribution networks from 2026.
