We want to do something good for ourselves with cosmetics - but what if they actually become a health hazard? The ToxFox App show you the true nature of your cosmetics.
Today I'd like to share with you a wonderful app that allows you to quickly and easily find out if your beauty products (both skincare and makeup) contain potentially harmful ingredients.
How does it function?
Open the app, scan the barcode, and you will be shown the substances of concern in the cosmetic product (and in other products such as toys). If the barcode is not accessible - for example, because you have disposed of the packaging or are still considering buying a product - you can also enter the product itself in the search.
Entweder werden keine bedenklichen Inhaltsstoffe gefunden oder diese werden direkt aufgelistet. In letzterem Fall könnt ihr euch Details zu den gefundenen bedenklichen Inhaltsstoffe durchlesen.
Sollten keine Daten für euer Produkt vorliegen, könnt ihr -außer für Kosmetikprodukte – selbst aktiv eine Anfrage an das jeweilige Unternehmen über die App versenden. Spätestens nach 45 Tagen solltet ihr dann eine Rückmeldung bekommen. Es sind übrigens bereits sehr viele Produkte in der Datenbank erfasst. Das heißt, dass schon sehr viele Nutzer Anfragen gestellt oder Produkte eingepflegt haben. Die Kosmetikprodukte kommen übrigens aus der Datenbank von CodeCheck, in der händisch Inhaltsstoffe eingetragen werden.
What does it mean if critical ingredients are found?
The app gives a good overview of which of your products contain questionable ingredients. From my experience, I can say that the app shows problematic substances relatively often - natural cosmetics usually score best. But here, too, the dose makes the poison. It's best to make sure that not too many of your products contain questionable ingredients and then replace them gradually.
What is evaluated?
ToxFox has focused in particular on endocrine disruptors and nanoparticles. It is assumed that these substances can lead to health complaints such as infertility or cancer.
However, this also means that there may be other harmful substances that ToxFox does not show as such. Other sources such as ÖkoTest reports or also the Code Check App (here is the evaluation of ingredients very detailed) can be very helpful.
Who is behind?
The ToxFox app was developed by the German environmental association BUND. The voluntary association is committed to nature and environmental protection and finances itself through membership fees and donations. You can find information about the ToxFox app directly from BUND in this article, for example: Make Poison Visible with the ToxFox App.
Where can I get it?
ToxFox is available for Android and iOS.
iOS: Show preview of the App in the App Store
Android: Show App in the Google Play Store
I think the app is a wonderful invention and a little eye opener. I was recommended it myself a few years ago and I am still very grateful for it, as the app has become my faithful companion when choosing cosmetic products. So I'm happy to share this tip with you and on that note, stay healthy!
