From stage make-up to public tool: New app scans cosmetic ingredients
A new web app developed by the Royal Dramatic Theatre in collaboration with Stockholm University enables users to quickly access information about potentially harmful substances in cosmetic products. The tool, Kosmetikakollen, is based on research in environmental risk assessment and environmental chemistry, making advanced scientific knowledge accessible to the general public.
Researcher Natasja Börjeson (left) on stage during the launch at the Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten).
By taking a photo of the ingredients list on a beauty product, users can receive guidance on substances that may pose risks to human health and the environment. The app was originally developed for the Royal Dramatic Theatre’s make-up and wig department, but has now been launched as a free tool for all users.
“Ingredient lists are often printed in such small text that they are impossible to read and even when you can read them, they contain substances you don’t necessarily understand. That’s why this app is incredible. Now you can simply photograph the ingredients list and get guidance on what the product contains and the impact these substances have on people and the environment,” says Lotta Reinholdt, make-up artist at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, in a press release.
“Kosmetikakollen will hopefully be an eye-opener for many. It would be beneficial if more people made informed choices, since current regulations are not always sufficient” says Natasja Börjeson, researcher in environmental risk assessment at Stockholm University and project leader of Kosmetikakollen.
The project is part of the long-term collaboration agreement between the Royal Dramatic Theatre and Stockholm University, with a particular focus on sustainability. Kosmetikakollen has been made possible through funding from EU Creative Europe under the STAGES project – Sustainable Theatre Alliance for a Green Environmental Shift.
Last updated: 2026-05-18
Source: Department of Environmental Science