The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) says the launch of Cosmetifique 1.0, a new application for iPhone and iPod Touch “could leave consumers feeling anxious about the safety of the products they enjoy every day”.

Actually, Cosmetifique claims to be able to instantly inform consumers about “the quality” of the ingredients in the cosmetic products they might purchase and if they are “dangerous for the health or for the environment!” The application is available to purchase from Apple’s App Store at a price of US$1.99.

“The launch of this new i-Phone application is concerning for a number of reasons. Firstly, because it suggests that consumers might find ‘dangerous’ substances in their cosmetics. In Europe, all products sold are subject to strict safety legislation so would never pose a safety threat to consumers. Secondly, because the way it is being promoted, it seems to perpetuate the myth that natural ingredients are not chemicals and are in some way safer than man-made ingredients. In reality, everything is chemical, whether natural or synthetic, and it’s not simply the presence of an ingredient that determines how safe a product is. Qualified safety assessors have to consider a whole range of factors, including the quantity of the ingredient contained in the product, how it reacts with other ingredients and how often the product is used,” commented Dr Chris Flower, CTPA’s Director General.

Cosmetifique for iPhone and iPod Touch