Know what you put on your skin.
Cosmetics Scanner analyzes the ingredient lists of skincare, haircare, and beauty products to help you understand exactly what you're applying to your body. Scan the barcode of any cosmetic product — from moisturizers and shampoos to sunscreens and makeup — and receive an instant safety assessment based on a database of 152 ingredients that have been identified as potentially harmful, irritating, or allergenic.
The app lets you create a personalized skin type profile (oily, dry, sensitive, combination, or normal) so that ingredient analysis is tailored to your specific needs. An ingredient that's perfectly fine for oily skin might be problematic for sensitive skin, and Cosmetics Scanner accounts for these differences. The app highlights comedogenic ingredients that can clog pores, drying alcohols that strip moisture, and fragrances that commonly trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
For expectant mothers, Cosmetics Scanner includes a dedicated pregnancy safety mode. Certain ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid in high concentrations, and specific essential oils are flagged when pregnancy mode is active, giving you peace of mind during a time when ingredient awareness matters most. Each flagged ingredient includes an explanation of why it's flagged and what the current medical guidance recommends.
The product comparator feature puts two cosmetics side by side so you can compare their safety profiles before purchasing. See which product has fewer harmful ingredients, which is better suited to your skin type, and which offers a cleaner formulation overall. All analysis is performed on-device — your scan history stays private and is never uploaded to external servers.
A comprehensive database of 152 ingredients flagged for potential harm — including parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde releasers, and phthalates — each with detailed risk explanations.
Set your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, combination, normal) and receive customized analysis. The app flags ingredients that are specifically problematic for your skin.
Activate pregnancy mode to receive alerts about retinoids, high-concentration salicylic acid, certain essential oils, and other ingredients that medical guidelines recommend avoiding during pregnancy.
Compare two cosmetic products side by side on safety score, harmful ingredient count, skin type compatibility, and overall formulation quality to find the better option.
Tap any ingredient to see its full profile — what it does, why it's used, what safety concerns exist, and whether it's restricted or banned in any major regulatory framework.
A quick-access widget on your iPhone home screen displays the safety grade and key findings of your most recently scanned cosmetic product.
Point your camera at the barcode on any cosmetic product. The app supports all standard barcode formats used by beauty and personal care brands worldwide.
The app retrieves the product's full ingredient list, brand information, and category data from the Open Beauty Facts database.
Each ingredient is checked against our curated database of 152 harmful or questionable ingredients, with adjustments made for your skin type and pregnancy status.
A safety grade from A (excellent) to E (avoid) is calculated based on the number and severity of harmful ingredients, irritant risk, and overall formulation safety.
Cosmetics Scanner is powered by Open Beauty Facts, an independent, community-driven database dedicated to cosmetic and personal care products. Open Beauty Facts catalogues ingredient lists (INCI names), product categories, brand information, and packaging data for thousands of beauty products sold internationally.
Our database of 152 harmful ingredients is compiled from evaluations by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), the U.S. Environmental Working Group (EWG), and published dermatological research. Each ingredient's classification considers its concentration thresholds, exposure patterns, and regulatory status across the EU, US, and other major markets.
How Cosmetics Scanner calculates grades
Excellent — Clean formulation with no harmful ingredients detected. Safe for all skin types including sensitive skin.
Good — Minor concerns only. May contain one or two low-risk ingredients such as mild preservatives. Generally safe for most users.
Fair — Contains some ingredients that may cause irritation for sensitive skin types. Review individual ingredient details before use.
Poor — Multiple harmful or irritating ingredients present. May contain parabens, sulfates, or known allergens. Use with caution.
Avoid — High concentration of harmful ingredients. Contains multiple flagged substances. Consider switching to a safer alternative.
The safety grade is determined by the count and severity of harmful ingredients found, the presence of common irritants and allergens, comedogenic potential for acne-prone skin, and compatibility with your skin type profile. Products containing ingredients flagged for pregnancy safety receive additional penalties when pregnancy mode is active.