ChemWise – Designing a Safer, Stress-Free Shopping Experience

It all began with conversations — not surveys or formal studies, but genuine, concerned voices from friends and family. I noticed a growing trend: people were becoming increasingly cautious about what they consumed and applied to their bodies.

The rise in reported allergies, heartbreaking cancer cases in our circle, and the overwhelming chemical complexity of products had turned what should be a simple grocery or cosmetics trip into a stressful mental checklist.

One friend recovering from cancer needed to verify every ingredient before purchasing. Another, juggling her toddler and grocery bags, found herself trying to type chemical names she couldn’t pronounce into Google — often unsure if the results were reliable. For many, shopping was no longer therapeutic; it had become an anxious task.

That’s when I realized the need for a tool that could bring clarity, trust, and simplicity back into the process.

Through in-depth conversations and observations, I uncovered recurring pain points:

• Emotional stress & decision fatigue over ingredient safety.

• Confusion due to unfamiliar, complex chemical names.

• Time burden — endless Google searches and reading unreliable sources.

• Physical inconvenience — typing on a phone with full hands or while carrying a child.

• Special health needs — allergies, cancer recovery, pregnancy, asthma.

• Market gaps in existing solutions:

• Barcode-only scanning (useless for multipacks without barcodes).

• Limited product databases.

• Mandatory subscriptions before testing the app.

These insights framed the problem statement:
“How might we create a fast, reliable, and effortless way for health-conscious shoppers to verify product safety without adding to their stress?”

I’m currently designing location-based alternative suggestions:

With user permission, ChemWise will detect store location and display safe product alternatives available right there or nearby, eliminating the guesswork 

ChemWise isn’t just a product scanner — it’s peace of mind in your pocket.
It bridges the gap between complex chemical science and real-world consumer needs, especially for people with health vulnerabilities.
This project reminded me why I design:

• To remove anxiety from everyday experiences.

• To empower people with clear, actionable information