Help
Answers to common questions about using Ingredient Checker.
How do I install Ingredient Checker?
Click Install Extension in the header — it takes you to the Chrome Web Store. Press Add to Chrome, confirm the prompt, and you're done. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar.
If you don't see it right away, click the puzzle icon (🧩) in the toolbar and pin Ingredient Checker for easy access.
How do I open the extension?
Click the Ingredient Checker icon in your Chrome toolbar. A side panel will open on the right side of your browser window — no new tab needed.
If you don't see the icon, click the puzzle icon (🧩), find Ingredient Checker, and click the pin to keep it visible.
How do I analyze an ingredient list?
Copy the ingredient list from any product page, beauty app, or review site. Open the side panel, paste the list into the text area, and click Analyze.
The extension accepts standard INCI format (comma-separated) as well as many alternative formats found on packaging.
What do the color ratings mean?
Each ingredient receives one of five safety levels:
Likely Safe is assigned to ingredients like peptides, extracts, and PEG derivatives that are generally well-tolerated but lack extensive tested data in our database.
What does "comedogenic" mean?
Comedogenic ingredients have a tendency to clog pores and may contribute to acne or blackheads. The comedogenic scale runs from 0 (non-clogging) to 5 (highly clogging).
Results vary by skin type — a rating of 2–3 may be fine for oily skin in rinse-off products but problematic for acne-prone skin in leave-on creams.
What is a fungal acne trigger?
Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis) is caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast on the skin. Certain fatty acids and esters feed this yeast, triggering breakouts.
Ingredient Checker flags 45 known triggers so you can avoid them if you're prone to fungal acne.
Can I change the product type?
Yes. After analyzing, use the product type selector — Face, Body, Rinse-off, or Hair — to recalculate safety scores for your specific use case. For example, certain surfactants are fine in a rinse-off cleanser but more concerning in a leave-on moisturizer.
The extension says "Could not connect to server"
This usually means a temporary network issue or the server is restarting. Wait a few seconds and try again. If the problem persists, check your internet connection.
Still not working? Contact us and we'll look into it.
Some ingredients show as "Not found" — why?
Our database covers 28 000+ INCI names, but some proprietary trade names, marketing terms, or very new ingredients may not be listed yet. We continuously expand the database based on user feedback.
If you encounter a common ingredient that's missing, let us know.
Still have questions? We're happy to help.
Contact Us