Sera ("we", "our", "the app") is a skincare companion: a snapshot of how your skin looks, a personalised ritual, an AI coach, and product ingredient match scores. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and your choices. Sera is not a health or medical app and never suggests medication.
Information we collect
Account information — your email address and authentication identifier when you sign in with Apple, Google, or email/password (via Firebase Authentication).
Profile — the skin type, focus areas, avoided ingredients, and budget preference you provide during onboarding.
Skin scan photos — photos you capture for a skin appearance snapshot.
Scan & usage data — your Glow Scores, metric breakdowns, routine progress, product scans, and skin diary entries.
Subscription status — whether you hold an active Sera Premium subscription (managed by Apple; we do not receive your payment card details).
Face data
When you take a skin scan, Sera collects a photo of your face ("face data"). This is sensitive information and we handle it as follows:
What we collect: a single facial photograph you capture (or choose from your library) for each scan.
How it is used: to generate a skin appearance snapshot (your Glow Score and metrics). It is used for no other purpose.
Who it is shared with: to produce your result, the image is sent securely to our AI provider, OpenAI, L.L.C. (openai.com). OpenAI processes the image to return the analysis and, per its API data-usage policy, does not use API images to train its models. We do not share your face data with any other third party, and we never sell it.
Where it is stored: the photo is stored encrypted on your device (with iOS complete file protection). The raw image is never written into our database — only a reference key and the numeric scores are stored in your private account.
Retention: your face photos are retained until you delete them. There is no fixed expiry — you control retention.
Deletion: you can delete any scan and its photo at any time in the app, and deleting your account removes your associated data. OpenAI does not retain API inputs for training.
Consent: before your first scan, Sera shows a consent screen naming OpenAI and requires your permission before any photo is sent.
How we use your information
To provide your skin snapshot, adaptive ritual, AI coach responses, and product match ratings.
To sync your data across your devices while signed in.
To manage your subscription entitlement and free-scan allowance.
To send routine reminder notifications you enable (delivered locally on your device).
Service providers
Google Firebase — authentication, database, and secure cloud storage.
OpenAI — AI processing for skin snapshots and the coach (skincare appearance prompts only).
Vercel — hosting for our backend.
Apple — subscription billing via the App Store.
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your data for advertising.
Your rights & choices
Access, edit, or delete your profile and scans in the app at any time.
Delete your account (Settings → Delete account), which removes your associated data.
Withdraw scan consent and disable notifications at any time.
Contact us to exercise any additional rights available in your region.
Children
Sera is intended for users aged 17 and older and is not directed at children.
Changes
We may update this policy; material changes will be reflected by the "last updated" date above.