Growing up with pale Irish skin, I’ve always been aware of the necessity to wear sunscreen to avoid getting sunburnt. But it still seems to happen pretty much every time I go somewhere sunny.

And now L’Oréal has come up with a nifty solution for those of us who are prone to getting sunburnt and anyone who wants to mind their skin – a patch that tells you how much sun exposure you’ve gotten and how likely it is that you’re damaging your skin.

Called My UV Patch, it’s a transparent stretchy sensor designed by PCH International, that measures approximately one square inch in area and is less than one millimeter thick. The patch contains photosensitive dyes that will change color when exposed to UV rays, indicating the level of sun exposure.

You can take a picture of the patch on the accompanying app, which then analyzes any changes and gives you information about how your skin may have been affected.

It’s not just for when you’re on vacation either. You can wear the patch daily to understand when you are most exposed so you can change your habits.

L’Oréal hasn’t said when the My UV Patch will be available but the company has stated that it won’t be charging for it and it’ll be disposable. This makes a nice change from spending hundreds of dollars on other health and fitness wearables.

➤ L’Oréal debuts first-ever stretchable electronic UV monitor at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show [L’Oréal]

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