Systems and methods for specifying and formulating customized topical agents

A system for determining a customized cosmetic formulation, the system comprising:

• at least one computer comprising a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and a processing unit for executing the instructions stored in the memory, wherein the execution of the instructions configures the computer to perform operations comprising:
• initiating a software application on a device having an image sensor and a light source;
• actuating the software application on the device, wherein the software application
• prompts a user to capture at least one image comprising a skin region of a user;
• controls the image sensor of the device for determining an amount of ambient light and setting the light source;
• guides the user to capture the at least one image comprising the skin region of the user when a distance to the user's skin region is within a set distance and when the user's skin region is centered and in focus so as to meet a calibration target for the device having the image sensor, wherein the calibration target is associated with preferred settings for the device having the image sensor, including exposure, focus and white balance settings;
• processes the at least one captured image using embedded image data from the at least one captured image, including brightness and flash characteristics of the device, focal length data from the light source and using known characteristics of the skin region in the at least one captured image and alters the device settings, if needed, to be the preferred settings for the device based on the embedded image data to calibrate the device;
• locks the exposure, focus and white balance settings on the device after calibrating the device having the image sensor;
• and guides the user to take one or more additional images of the skin region of the user using the calibrated device having the image sensor;
• processing the one or more additional images of the skin region from the calibrated device to provide calibrated skin color information for the user, including user device data;
• and
• determining a custom cosmetic formulation for the user using the calibrated skin color information by matching the calibrated skin color information to reference skin color information of a reference user in a reference database, the reference user having a previously determined cosmetic formulation associated therewith.