Abstract: A system for characterizing skin condition comprises a spreadable indicator and a reference. The indicator is suitable for application to human skin and visually changeable when in contact with the oil on human skin. The visual change of the indicator is representative of the amount of the oil in contact with the indicator. The reference relates a plurality of possible visual changes of the indicator to a plurality of skin conditions, whereby a user can compare the reference to the visual change of the indicator to characterize a skin condition of human skin due to the amount of the oil on the human skin in contact with the indicator.

Abstract: An indicator for characterizing human skin condition includes a flowable carrier, suitable for application to human skin, and at least one dye soluble with oil found on human skin and visually changeable when in solution with oil on human skin. A visual change in the at least one dye is proportional to the amount of the oil present in solution, whereby when the indicator is applied to an area of human skin, and the at least one dye contacts and reacts with the oil in the area, the indicator will display a visual indication of the skin condition in the area based on the amount of the oil in the area.