Cosmetic product rating applications are attracting growing interest among consumers concerned about the composition and impact of their beauty products . Among the most popular, Yuka and INCI Beauty stand out for their rating systems based on ingredient analysis . However, behind the colored dots lie sometimes complex evaluation methods, raising questions about the reliability and relevance of the results. Let’s take a look at these applications and their divergent approaches.

Cosmetic product rating apps each have their own evaluation methods.

• On the Yuka application: the color of the sticker corresponds to 4 risk categories: no risk (green), low risk (yellow), moderate risk (orange), at risk (red).
  The risk analysis is based on opinions from official bodies , independent scientific studies and open access databases .
• On the INCI Beauty application: the color corresponds to several parameters: risk-free ingredient (green), regulated ingredient / rather irritating / allergenic (yellow), ingredient from petrochemicals, heavy chemicals and/or which does not deserve a red (orange), controversial or potentially risky ingredient (red).
  Products that contain nanomaterials mentioned on the labeling obtain an additional penalty.

These analyzes are therefore based on risk analyzes whose sources are generally unavailable. It should be noted that sun filters (organic and mineral) are all regulated and have been studied by European scientific committees. Also, the safety of their use and their protective benefit against skin lesions is managed and carefully monitored by the European authorities. However, environmental risk is not taken into account at the moment.

Although these apps provide a quick rating of cosmetic products, it is important to note that the sources and criteria used are not always transparent. For example, sun filters, widely regulated and studied, can be poorly evaluated in certain circumstances, not taking into account their safety and effectiveness established by European scientific committees.

While cosmetic rating apps provide consumers with increased visibility into product composition, it is essential to keep in mind the limitations of their rating methods. Based on sometimes complex criteria and sources that are not always accessible, these applications can sometimes raise questions about their reliability. It is therefore crucial to take an informed and critical approach when using these tools, keeping in mind current regulations and established scientific knowledge.