Paula’s Choice has launched a decoding tool that allows customers to analyse ingredients in any skin care product in seconds.
The Beautypedia Skin Care Ingredient Checker is said to “cut through the jargon, misinformation and hype” to help consumers buy products that are right for their skin care type and concern.
“With more beauty products being created every day, and misinformation being spread more than ever, it is beyond helpful in this climate to have a tool that delivers facts about ingredients based on scientific research,” said Heather Wish, Paula’s Choice’s UK Education Manager.
“It gives the power back to the consumer and helps them make the right choices for their best skin yet.”
Users simply take a photo of the product’s ingredient list, or copy and paste it into the site, and an overview of how the ingredients perform will be given.
The ingredients are rated on a scale of ‘best’ to ‘worst’, offering insight into their effectiveness and benefits, the presence or absence of skin irritants, and whether it suits the user’s skin type and concern.
This is based on research from a broad range of fields, including anatomy, physiology, dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, genetics, environmental science and safety.
Paula’s Choice’s Research and Education Team and Science Advisory Board will also continually review and interpret new studies to ensure the information is as accurate as possible.
A ‘best’ rating is for “outstanding ingredients with true benefits for skin,” said the brand. “Proven and supported by independent studies.”
The ‘good’ rating includes “non-irritating, effective ingredients,” added the brand.
“Not quite as beneficial as ‘best’ ingredients, but often necessary to improve a formula’s texture, stability or penetration.”
An ‘average’ rating means the formulation “may have aesthetic, stability or other issues that limit its usefulness,” said the brand.
“Sometimes it is just a no-frills ingredient, or an ingredient that does not have much research behind it yet.”
The ‘bad’ rating means “there is a likelihood of irritation,” added the brand.
“Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.
“May offer some benefits to skin but overall, proven or highly likely to do more harm than good.”
The ‘worst’ rating is for ingredients “proven to cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc,” explained the brand.
“An ingredient in this category should be avoided, especially when used in high concentrations or combined with other irritants.”
The Beautypedia Skin Care Ingredient Checker is accessible via any digital device.