Independent breakdown
INCI Beauty
Worth it — with caveatsTechnology: EU CosIng ingredient decoder — identification, regulatory status, origin
Plain English verdict
INCI Beauty is a French app that decodes ingredient lists using the EU CosIng database and published toxicological references. Unlike Think Dirty or EWG, it focuses on what an ingredient is rather than assigning it an arbitrary "danger" score. It shows EU regulatory status, common function categories, and known sensitisation potential — with appropriate context. The most honest and scientifically grounded ingredient scanner currently available for iOS and Android. Most useful for understanding unfamiliar INCI names; not a substitute for dermatological assessment of whether a product suits your specific skin.
Worth it if you want
- +Decoding unfamiliar INCI ingredient names
- +Checking EU regulatory status of a specific ingredient
- +Understanding what a functional category does (e.g. emollient vs. humectant)
Not worth it if
- −Assessing whether a complete formulation is suitable for your skin
- −Diagnosing skin reactions — that requires a dermatologist or controlled patch testing