TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- ScanSkinAI's checker covers 3,000+ ingredients against comedogenic, allergen, and irritant databases
- It flags ingredients rated 3–5 on the comedogenic scale, EU 26 allergens, drying alcohols, and harsh surfactants
- It can't assess concentrations, predict individual allergies, or evaluate formulation pH and stability
- Best used as a first-pass filter — not a replacement for patch testing or dermatologist advice
What the Checker CAN Detect
When you paste or scan an ingredient list, the AI cross-references each ingredient against multiple dermatological databases. Here's exactly what it catches:
1. Comedogenic Risk (Pore-Clogging Potential)
Every ingredient is rated on the comedogenic scale (0–5) based on Dr. Fulton's dermatological research. The checker flags:
- High risk (4–5): Isopropyl myristate, coconut oil, wheat germ oil, acetylated lanolin — ingredients that reliably clog pores
- Moderate risk (3): Stearic acid, myristic acid, soybean oil — context-dependent ingredients that may cause breakouts in acne-prone skin
- Low risk (0–2): Marked as safe — mineral oil, hemp seed oil, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
2. Allergen Detection
The checker identifies known sensitisers including:
- All 26 EU fragrance allergens (linalool, limonene, citronellol, geraniol, etc.) — required to be disclosed individually under EU Cosmetics Regulation
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15) — known to trigger contact dermatitis
- MI/MCI (methylisothiazolinone/methylchloroisothiazolinone) — banned in leave-on products in the EU but still used in rinse-off products and non-EU markets
- Common botanical allergens in essential oils and plant extracts
3. Irritant Identification
Known irritants that damage the skin barrier are flagged:
- Drying alcohols — denat. alcohol, SD alcohol 40, isopropyl alcohol
- Harsh sulfates — sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl sulfate
- High-concentration acids — glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid when combined with other actives
- Synthetic fragrance — "Parfum" or "Fragrance" entries that indicate undisclosed fragrance chemicals
See what's hiding in your products
Paste any INCI list — our AI flags comedogenic, allergenic, and irritating ingredients in seconds. Free, no signup.
What the Checker CAN'T Detect
Transparency about limitations is important. Here's what no AI ingredient checker — including ours — can reliably assess:
Ingredient Concentrations
INCI lists show order (highest to lowest) but not percentages. An ingredient at position #25 is present in trace amounts and unlikely to cause issues, even if it's rated 4/5 comedogenic.
Formulation Chemistry
Two ingredients that are individually safe might interact poorly. Conversely, a comedogenic ingredient in a well-formulated product might be neutralised by other components. Only formulation chemists can assess this.
Individual Allergic Reactions
The checker flags known allergens, but you can be allergic to anything — including ingredients rated 0 on every scale. Patch testing is the only reliable way to detect personal sensitivities.
Product pH and Stability
Acid efficacy depends on pH. Vitamin C stability depends on formulation. The checker can't assess these factors from an ingredient list alone.
The Science Behind the Ratings
Our comedogenic ratings draw from Dr. James Fulton and Dr. Albert Kligman's foundational research using the rabbit ear assay model. While this methodology has limitations (rabbit skin is more reactive than human skin), it remains the most comprehensive comedogenic rating system available and is still referenced in modern dermatological practice.
Allergen databases reference the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009), particularly Annex III which lists restricted substances and mandatory allergen disclosure requirements. Irritant identification draws from CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) safety assessments and published dermatological literature.
How to Get the Most From the Checker
- Scan before buying: Most brands publish full INCI lists on their websites. Check before spending money.
- Note ingredient position: A flagged ingredient at position #3 is more concerning than one at position #28.
- Cross-reference with your history: If a flagged ingredient appears in products that worked well for you, your skin may tolerate it fine.
- Patch test new products: Even if the checker gives an all-clear, patch test any new product for 48–72 hours.
- Track patterns: If multiple products with the same flagged ingredient cause breakouts, that's your trigger confirmed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our database covers 3,000+ cosmetic ingredients including INCI-standard names, common names, and alternative nomenclature. This includes all major comedogenic, allergenic, and irritant compounds identified in peer-reviewed dermatological literature.
No. Ingredient concentrations are not disclosed on cosmetic labels (only the order, from highest to lowest concentration). The checker identifies the ingredient and its risk profile, but can't determine how much is in the product. An ingredient listed last is present in trace amounts; one listed in the first 5 is a significant component.
Yes. The checker flags ingredients that are problematic across skin types (comedogenic for acne-prone, irritating for sensitive, allergenic for reactive). However, individual responses vary — an ingredient rated 2 on the comedogenic scale might cause breakouts for one person but not another. Use the results as a starting point and patch test when in doubt.
It flags known allergens (EU 26 fragrance allergens, formaldehyde releasers, common sensitisers) but cannot predict individual allergic reactions. If you have known allergies, the checker helps identify if those specific allergens are present. For unknown allergies, patch testing is the only reliable method.
Comedogenic ratings (0–5) originate from Dr. Fulton and Dr. Kligman's rabbit ear assay studies. While widely used, they have limitations: rabbit skin differs from human skin, concentrations varied between studies, and individual responses differ. The ratings are directional rather than absolute — a rating of 4–5 is a strong signal to avoid, while 2–3 warrants caution.
Yes. The checker works with any product that has an INCI ingredient list: moisturisers, serums, sunscreens, foundations, primers, cleansers, shampoos, and body lotions. If it has an ingredient list, you can scan it.
The checker references Fulton's comedogenic rating studies, the EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III (restricted substances), the EU 26 fragrance allergens (Annex III), CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) safety assessments, and published dermatological literature on common irritants and sensitisers.
EWG Skin Deep rates overall product safety with a focus on toxicological concerns (endocrine disruptors, carcinogens). ScanSkinAI focuses specifically on dermatological outcomes: will this product clog your pores, irritate your skin, or trigger an allergic reaction? Different tools for different questions.
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