Friends of the Earth extends 'ToxFox' app

By Michelle Yeomans

- Last updated on GMT

Friends of the Earth extends 'ToxFox' app

Related tags Natural cosmetics Cosmetics

The German NGO has extended its mobile app, ToxFox to android devices after a successful launch which allows users to check cosmetics for EDCs.

The app claims to allow a new generation of formulation savvy consumers to gain access to what's really in formulations which analysts say will ultimately pave the way for them telling formulators what ingredients they do and do not want to see in their products.

According to BUND, 330,000 people already use ToxFox, which was launched last year following a study that revealed a third of the cosmetic products sold in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to contain suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals.

The NGO's site says the union study incorporated more than 60,000 products and found personal care to contain 15 different chemicals that act like hormones.

These substances were allegedly found as preservatives and UV-filters in the likes of sunscreens, skin care and colour cosmetics. 

According to Bund, the proportion of 'contaminated' products found had belonged to market leaders L'Oreal and Beiersdorf (Nivea, among others).

Those without 'contaminated' products included alva Natural Cosmetics, Anne Marie Borlind, Dr. Hauschka, Laverana natural cosmetics, natural cosmetics Logocos, Martina Gebhardt Natural Cosmetics and Natural Cosmetics Weleda.

Snap appy

'Think Dirty' is another app that allows consumers to scan the bar code of any participating manufacturer and determine exactly what ingredients are contained in the formulation and what it means.

Founded by Lily Tse, the app includes more than 11,000 products and over 1,000 different brands in its database, with the aim of growing significantly as it becomes more popular with consumers.

According to the development team, the app assesses products based on what is deemed to be the safety of the ingredients, which is based on references to government lists of prohibited chemicals, studies in peer-reviewed journals and regulatory guidance.

Tse says the inspiration for the launch came about when her own mother developed breast cancer about ten years, something that drove her to do significant research into potentially carcinogenic cosmetic and personal ingredients.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Content provided by Naolys | 26-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Exosomes, microscopic vesicles naturally present in abundance within Plant Cells, have garnered significant attention within the scientific and cosmetic...

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

Content provided by Activ'Inside | 11-Dec-2023 | White Paper

In the ever-evolving realm of nutricosmetics, where inner wellness meets outer beauty, few natural ingredients have captured the spotlight quite like grapes.

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 11-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Sharomix™ EG10, a versatile broad-spectrum antimicrobial liquid blend for preserving personal care products, ensures safety at usage levels ranging from...

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 07-Jul-2023 | Product Brochure

Acme-Hardesty’s latest expansion into Canada includes Resplanta®, Botaneco®, and BYK from our partners Sharon Personal Care and Eckart Effect Pigments...

Related suppliers