How can we help?

We want FormuLens to work great for you. Browse the topics below for quick answers, or email us anytime — we’re happy to help.

Getting Started

How do I scan a product?

1. Open FormuLens and tap Get Started.
2. Choose Compare, Check My Routine, or Scan Collection.
3. Pick your product categories (for example, Cleanser, Serum, Moisturizer, or Sunscreen).
4. Photograph the ingredient list or choose an image from your library.
5. View your color-coded breakdown.

No account, no setup, and no internet connection needed.

What’s the difference between Compare, Check My Routine, and Scan Collection?

• Compare — scan several products of the same type to see how they stack up head-to-head, including shared and unique ingredients and a plain-language verdict.
• Check My Routine — scan your routine one product per step for layering order, ingredient conflict alerts, overlap notes, and gap analysis across the whole routine.
• Scan Collection — scan any mix of products for a straightforward per-product breakdown, with no comparison or ordering applied.

What product categories are available?

FormuLens supports 23 categories across five groups:

• Skincare — Cleanser, Exfoliator, Toner, Serum, Moisturizer, Eye Cream, Sunscreen, Mask / Pack
• Makeup — Primer, Foundation / BB, Blush / Bronzer, Eye Makeup, Lipstick, Lip Balm
• Hair — Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Mask
• Bath & Body — Body Wash, Body Scrub, Body Lotion, Hand Cream, Deodorant
• Fragrance — Perfume

Is FormuLens free?

Yes. FormuLens is free to download and all current features are available at no cost, with no ads and no account required. If we add optional premium features later, the features you rely on today will remain available.

Do I need the internet to use it?

No. Every scan and analysis feature works entirely offline. (Optional “learn more” links open in your browser, which do use the internet.)

Can I scan a long ingredient list that doesn’t fit in one photo?

Yes. Add multiple photos of the same product and FormuLens reads each one and merges them into a single, de-duplicated ingredient list. This is handy for long labels or curved bottles.

What language is FormuLens available in?

The app’s interface is currently in English, with more languages planned. This support site is available in several languages.

Understanding Your Results

What do the colors mean?

Each ingredient is color-coded by its function — for example, moisturizing, antioxidant, sun protection, or anti-aging. This gives you an instant visual map of what a product is designed to do.

What do the “key” and “unusual” labels mean?

• Key (star icon) — the ingredient directly serves the product type’s main purpose. For example, UV filters are key in a sunscreen.
• Unusual — the ingredient is uncommon for the selected category. It isn’t necessarily bad, just worth a closer look. For example, an exfoliant flagged in an eye cream.

Why do sunscreens show “Active” and “Inactive” sections?

Sunscreens and SPF products use a Drug Facts label. For these, FormuLens preserves the label’s own Active and Inactive groupings instead of the standard key/unusual view, so the results match what’s printed on the product.

Can I get more detail on a specific ingredient?

Yes. Tap any ingredient to see a plain-language explanation of what it does, plus links to trusted databases (INCIDecoder, COSMILE Europe, EWG Skin Deep) for deeper research.

How do I compare products?

Choose Compare, pick a single category, and scan two or more products of that type. You’ll see shared ingredients, what’s unique to each, how the formulas differ, and an at-a-glance verdict.

How does routine analysis work?

Choose Check My Routine and add one product per step in the order you use them. FormuLens reviews your layering order, alerts you to known ingredient conflicts between steps, points out redundant overlap, and highlights gaps your routine may be missing.

How do I save a scan?

Tap the save button after analyzing a product, then add a custom name, tags, and notes. It will appear in your Saved tab for easy access later, where you can search and filter your saved products.

Troubleshooting

The scan missed some ingredients

For best results, make sure the ingredient list is:

• Well-lit with even lighting (no glare or strong shadows)
• In focus and not blurry
• Flat against a surface (flatten the label if possible)
• Large enough in the frame to read clearly

On curved bottles, photograph one section at a time and add each as a separate photo — FormuLens merges them.

Some ingredients show as “unrecognized”

FormuLens includes a large database of common cosmetic ingredients. Very new, rare, or region-specific ingredients may not yet be classified. The ingredient name still appears — only the automatic function label is unavailable.

No ingredients were found in my photo

Make sure you’re photographing the ingredient list itself (usually on the back or bottom of the product). If the photo shows only the product name, branding, or marketing text, there won’t be ingredients to detect.

Text was read incorrectly

Retake the photo with better lighting and focus. FormuLens automatically corrects many common scanning typos, but a clearer photo always produces the best results.

The camera isn’t working

Open your device Settings → FormuLens and confirm Camera access is turned on. If it already is, try force-closing the app and reopening it.

The app is crashing

Update to the latest version from the App Store and restart your device. If the problem continues, please contact us with your device model and iOS version.

Privacy and Data

Are my photos uploaded anywhere?

No. All photo processing happens entirely on your device. Your images never leave your phone or tablet.

What data do you collect?

None. FormuLens has no accounts, no analytics, no tracking, and no advertising. See our full Privacy Policy for details.

How do I delete my saved data?

Swipe left on any saved product to remove it. To delete all app data, simply uninstall FormuLens from your device.

What happens if I delete the app?

Uninstalling FormuLens permanently removes all saved analyses from your device. Since there is no cloud backup or sync, this can’t be undone.

Permissions

Why does the app ask for camera access?

So you can photograph ingredient lists directly. This permission is optional — you can always choose a photo from your library instead.

Why does the app ask for photo library access?

So you can select an existing photo of an ingredient list. This is optional — you can use the camera instead.

Does FormuLens access my location, microphone, or contacts?

No. The only permissions ever requested are camera and photo library. Nothing else.

Compatibility

iOS 26.2 or later · iPhone and iPad

Contact Us

Can’t find your answer? We’d genuinely like to help.

Email: contact@bartlettbutter.com

We typically respond within 48 hours. To help us assist you quickly, please include:

• A brief description of what happened
• Your device model and iOS version (Settings → General → About)
• A screenshot, if helpful