Understanding what we put on our skin every day is essential, but it can sometimes be laborious: incomprehensible ingredient lists, tiny font on a label… It’s not always easy to find your way around!
That’s why we’ve come up with several apps that let you scan your cosmetics and analyze the ingredients for you.
Yuka, INCI Beauty, Clean Beauty, and many more. With these applications, the INCI list of your products will no longer hold any secrets for you!
But you may be wondering which one to choose, and what are the advantages?
What is an INCI list? International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
The purpose of the INCI is to standardize the ingredients present in a cosmetic product. It is displayed on the main packaging of cosmetic products, and was created in 1973 by an American association.
The manufacturer is not obliged to disclose the concentration of each ingredient, thus preserving the « manufacturing secret ». However, we do know that these ingredients are « mandatorily » classified in descending order of concentration if they are dosed at more than 1%. Below this threshold, manufacturers are free to present them in any order they wish.
How to scan and analyze your cosmetic formulas?
We’ve selected the three best beauty applications.
Yuka, the most popular and widely used application among consumers
Specially designed to analyze the ingredients of cosmetic products, Yuka makes it easy to decipher all types of product, whether it’s your face cream, anti-aging serum, shampoo or any other cosmetic formula. By simply scanning the barcode, Yuka displays the product’s composition. Each product is given a color code, from green to red, as well as a score from 0 to 100. What’s more, you receive a detailed list of ingredients, with indications of potentially toxic or allergenic substances.
Available free of charge on iOS and Android
Inci Beauty stands out as a 100% French beauty app
Offering a comprehensive approach. This app allows you to decipher in detail the compositions of your cosmetic products, highlighting controversial substances as well as their impact on health and the environment. Inci Beauty is your ally in understanding the INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients).
With Inci Beauty, you can benefit from an in-depth analysis of your cosmetic products, find out about their composition and even share your opinion. A simple scan of a barcode reveals the list of ingredients. Products are classified in categories ranging from « good » to « controversial/risky ». If your product is not listed in the database, simply take a photo of the cosmetic to add it to the list.
Available free of charge on iOS and Android, Inci Beauty is the essential tool for making informed decisions about your cosmetics.
Clean Beauty, the beauty app with an educational edge
Developed by scientists, Clean Beauty is the only mobile application to identify all controversial ingredients in products, whether in France or Europe. You don’t even need to scan product labels; a simple photo of the INCI list is all you need, whether for make-up, hair care or beauty products.
One of Clean Beauty’s strengths lies in its database, which is based on international, independent scientific information. Unlike other beauty applications, Clean Beauty does not focus solely on the beneficial or potentially harmful effects of ingredients. Clean Beauty provides a detailed glossary, specially designed for consumers, to explain in detail the role of each component present in the products. With this valuable resource, you can deepen your understanding of ingredients and make informed decisions about your cosmetics choices.
Clean Beauty is available as a free download on iOS and Android, ready to accompany you on your quest for enlightened beauty.
As you can see, beauty apps are true daily allies. Thanks to them, you can now decipher the endless INCI lists of your products, in just a few clicks. This is a major step forward for consumers who want to look after their skin with a more natural beauty routine.