Synthetic skin as an ideal human-tissue substitute is needed for the research and assessment of hair-and skin-care products. In this study, a systematic study was carried out of the surface, tribological, and mechanical properties of two synthetic skins and rat skin with and without skin-cream treatment with scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and a nanoindenter. The film thickness, adhesive force, coefficient of friction, surface roughness, and contact angle of the two synthetic skins and rat skin were comparable. The hardness of one synthetic skin was more similar to rat skin. After treatment with skin cream, the trends of the properties of the two synthetic skins and rat skin were similar. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 2881-2890, 2011