Estée Lauder and Leeds University Collaborate on Innovative Shade Matching Technology

In an effort to address a long-standing issue in the beauty industry, The Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) has embarked on a significant research partnership with the School of Design at the University of Leeds, UK, and globally recognized color scientist, Dr. Kaida Xiao, Professor of Color and Imaging Science at the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Color (LITAC).

This collaboration, unveiled on August 14, 2026, is set to revolutionize the way foundation, concealer, and other complexion products are matched to the vast and diverse range of global skin tones. Despite considerable progress in beauty technology, the quest for the perfect shade of foundation or concealer remains a widespread and persistent source of consumer dissatisfaction worldwide.

The initiative will utilize sophisticated psychophysical methods from the field of visual perception science to explore how consumers discern subtle variances in color undertones and skin tone in real-life situations. The objective is to establish new scientific standards that will facilitate the delivery of more natural-looking, accurately matched complexion results for consumers of every skin tone.

“The path to transformative innovation in complexion and color cosmetics begins with a deeper comprehension of how consumers perceive their own skin tone,” stated Claude Saliou, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technologies and Global Clinical and Consumer Sciences at The Estée Lauder Companies. The insights gained are anticipated to benefit iconic brands across the Estée Lauder portfolio, including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, and The Ordinary.

Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries – Estée Lauder & University of Leeds, August 14, 2026