Written by: Zuhair Augla
Photo by: Susan Wilkinson
Introduction
Walking into a beauty retailer or pharmacy skincare section can feel overwhelming for anyone. Rows upon rows of products in similar packaging, tiny print listing ingredients, and colour-coded systems that assume everyone can distinguish between shades of pink and purple. For people with visual impairments, this sensory overload becomes an accessibility barrier that can make independent skincare shopping feel nearly impossible. Yet with the right strategies, tools, and support systems in place, navigating the skincare aisle can become a manageable, even enjoyable, experience.
Pre-Shopping Strategies to Identify Products Independently
Successful skincare shopping for people with visual impairments begins long before entering a store. Preparation at home, where you control the environment and have access to your preferred tools, sets the foundation for a smoother shopping experience.
- Research products thoroughly before shopping.
- Use screen readers or magnification software for reading reviews, ingredient lists, and product descriptions on brand websites.
- Be aware that many beauty websites offer varying levels of accessibility features.
- Take detailed notes on desired products, including:
- Brand names
- Product names
- Sizes
- Identifying features (e.g., packaging colour or shape)
- Create a comprehensive shopping list with alternatives to avoid on-the-spot decisions.
- Include price ranges in your notes to ensure you purchase the correct item.
- Familiarize yourself with store layouts before visiting:
- Check retailer websites for store maps and virtual tours.
- Know the specific locations of product categories (e.g., skincare is in aisle three).
- Call ahead to confirm product availability to save time and avoid wasted trips. Consider the timing of your shopping trips. Stores tend to be quieter on weekday mornings and early afternoons, so staff have more time to assist you, and aisles are less crowded. Avoiding peak hours reduces sensory overwhelm and increases the likelihood of receiving unhurried, personalized help.
This same principle of thoughtful preparation applies across daily life for those managing visual impairments. Just as you might research skincare before shopping, choosing clothing that's easy to identify and put on independently makes mornings smoother. June Adaptive's unisex recovery pants with side zippers exemplify a design that works for everyone, with their distinctive side-zipper construction making them easy to identify by touch and simple to put on without visual cues.
unisex recovery pants with side zippers
Using Technology Apps to Scan Packaging and Read Ingredients
Smartphone technology has revolutionized accessibility for people with visual impairments, and several apps specifically help with product identification and ingredient reading. These tools can transform the shopping experience from a dependency to independence.
Be My Eyes connects users with sighted volunteers through video calls. When you need help identifying a product or reading an ingredient list, you can open the app and receive real-time assistance from someone who can see what your camera shows. The app is free, and volunteers are available around the clock. For skincare shopping, you might use it to compare two similar products or read the fine print on packaging.
Seeing AI, developed by Microsoft, offers multiple features useful for skincare shopping. Its text recognition feature reads printed text aloud, including ingredient lists and usage instructions. The product recognition feature can identify many common items and may recognize popular skincare brands. The app also describes scenes and colours, helpful for understanding packaging design.
Envision AI similarly reads text and identifies products, with the added ability to scan barcodes. Scanning a barcode often displays detailed product information, including ingredients that may be too small to read even with magnification. The app can also teach itself to recognize specific items you use frequently.
KNFB Reader specializes in text recognition and handles the small, dense text common on skincare packaging better than many general-purpose apps. While it requires a one-time purchase, its accuracy with challenging text makes it valuable for those who frequently need to read product information.
Magnification apps can help those with low vision read larger text on packaging. Most smartphones have built-in magnification, but dedicated apps often offer additional features such as contrast adjustment and freeze frames that make reading easier.
Beyond apps, many smartphones offer built-in accessibility features that help with shopping. Voice assistants can answer product questions, and camera features can be combined with screen readers to provide descriptions of what's in frame.
Building Relationships with Retail Staff Who Understand Accessibility Needs
While technology offers incredible independence, human assistance remains valuable, particularly when navigating physical retail environments. Building relationships with store staff who understand your needs creates a support network that enhances your shopping experience.
Identify stores with good accessibility practices. Some retailers train their staff specifically in assisting customers with disabilities, while others leave employees to figure it out on their own. Pay attention to how staff respond when you request assistance. Do they speak directly to you or to a companion? Do they describe products in useful detail or offer only vague responses? Do they respect your autonomy while providing needed help?
Communicate your needs clearly and specifically. Rather than simply saying "I need help," explain exactly what kind of assistance would be most useful. You might say, "I'm looking for a fragrance-free moisturiser. Could you read me the names of three options and their ingredients?" Specific requests yield more useful assistance than general ones.
Provide both positive and constructive feedback. If a staff member assists you particularly well, let their manager know. Positive reinforcement encourages stores to maintain good accessibility practices. Similarly, if you encounter barriers, politely explaining the issue helps stores understand where they need to improve.
The independence that comes from having reliable support systems extends throughout daily life. Just as building relationships with helpful retail staff makes shopping easier, having clothing designed with accessibility in mind makes daily dressing simpler. June Adaptive's women's recovery pants feature thoughtful design elements that make them easy to identify and wear independently, supporting the kind of autonomy that matters so much to people navigating the world with visual impairments.
women's recovery pantsOnline Shopping Advantages for People with Low Vision
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Online shopping offers significant advantages, including control over the environment and the use of assistive technology.
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Screen readers work seamlessly with most beauty retailer websites for reading product details, reviews, and pricing.
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Website accessibility features such as text size adjustments and high-contrast modes enhance the user experience.
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Customer reviews provide valuable information on product texture, scent, appearance, and packaging accessibility.
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Subscription services reduce the need for repeated shopping trips once suitable products are found.
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Chat features and customer service lines can answer real-time questions about product information.
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Auto-reorder features simplify repeat purchases by remembering previous orders.
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The main challenge is not being able to physically examine products before purchase, so it is important to review new arrivals for changes.
Creating a Home Skincare Routine You Can Navigate Independently
Once you've successfully purchased skincare products, organizing them at home for independent use is the final step. A well-organized, thoughtfully labelled skincare station allows you to maintain your routine without sighted assistance.
Designate a specific space for your skincare products and keep items in consistent locations. Your cleanser always goes in the same spot on the shelf, and your moisturizer always sits in the same place on your counter. Muscle memory develops quickly when organization remains consistent, allowing you to reach for products without searching.
Use tactile markers to distinguish between similar products. Rubber bands wrapped around one bottle, a raised sticker on another, and tactile tape on a third create distinct textures you can identify by touch. Some people use different numbers of rubber bands (one for morning products, two for evening) to create a system that communicates both identity and timing.
Braille labels work for those who read Braille, though stick-on labels can be difficult to apply precisely. Label makers that produce Braille output create uniform, professional labels. For those who don't read Braille, talking label systems allow you to record voice memos that play when a sensor is triggered.
Consider product packaging when making purchasing decisions. Pumps, squeeze tubes, and flip-top caps each have distinct tactile properties. If you struggle to distinguish between two jar products, choosing the tube format instead solves the problem. Distinctive packaging shapes and sizes also help with product identification.
Organize products by routine step. Keeping your cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer in a consistent left-to-right or front-to-back order helps you move through your routine systematically without wondering whether you've skipped a step.
Decant products that come in inaccessible packaging. If a product you love comes in a container you struggle to use, transferring it to an accessible container solves the problem. Pump bottles, flip-top squeeze tubes, and airless pump jars are available in various sizes and are inexpensive to purchase. Label the new containers clearly.
Use organizational tools designed for accessibility. Tiered shelving prevents products from getting lost behind one another. Drawer organizers with distinct compartments separate product categories. Lazy Susans allow you to rotate through products without reaching blindly.
The confidence that comes from navigating your skincare routine independently mirrors the confidence that comes from dressing independently. Products like June Adaptive's women's recovery pants with side zipper are designed with this same principle in mind, offering features that make independent dressing achievable regardless of ability level. When your environment and your wardrobe both support your independence, daily self-care becomes a source of empowerment rather than frustration.
women's recovery pants with side zipper
Moving Toward a More Accessible Future
While these strategies help people with visual impairments navigate the current skincare landscape, the ultimate goal should be an industry that designs for accessibility from the start. Tactile packaging, Braille labelling, high-contrast text, and distinctive bottle shapes should be standard rather than exceptional.
Some brands are leading the way. Herbal Essences' tactile bottle markers, L'Oréal's partnership with accessibility organizations, and various indie brands designing with disability in mind all point toward a more inclusive future. Supporting these brands with your purchasing power sends a message to the industry about consumer priorities.
Advocacy also matters. Providing feedback to brands about packaging accessibility, requesting accommodations from retailers, and sharing your experiences publicly all contribute to change. The disability community's collective voice has already transformed many industries, and beauty is gradually responding.
In the meantime, the strategies outlined here offer practical paths to independence. From pre-shopping preparation to home organization, each step builds toward a skincare routine that works for you, on your terms, with the level of assistance you choose rather than the level imposed by inaccessible design. Skincare is self-care, and everyone deserves access to the products and routines that help them feel their best.
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