Developers have been busy cranking out applications for the best-selling iPhone, covering nearly every topic and purpose. If you can think of it, there is most certainly an app for it, and skincare is no exception. Here is a look at some of the more popular skincare applications available in the iTunes Store:

iRash
(By Graysoap Design)

$2.99

This application helps both medical professionals and patients more easily identify skin rashes. Communicating the details of a rash over the phone can be challenging. iRash provides a basic dermatology reference to more than 40 common skin conditions, with information on causes, symptoms and treatment, as well as a representative photo.

Instead of calling the pediatrician and saying, “My child has a rash,” you could be able to say, “My child has a rash that looks like eczema.” The rashes are organized both alphabetically and by descriptive category (i.e. red rashes, brown spots, lumps, etc.)

iRash is a handy tool for anyone who is prone or has kids that are prone to rashes or skin conditions. Just remember, this app is intended for use by or in consultation with a licensed health care provider. Always have skin conditions checked by your doctor or dermatologist.

Digital Sunscreen
(W & R Partners)

$.99

We all know that the sun is our worst enemy when it comes to preserving the health and youthfulness of our skin. How do you tell when you have the highest susceptibility to sunburn so you can adequately protect yourself? The Digital Sunscreen app provides a personal estimate of the time it will take your skin to burn based on the UV index in your area, your personal skin type, your application of sunscreen/sunblock, and the current weather conditions.

A stopwatch timer counts down the time until projected sunburn. Once the time has expired, Digital Sunscreen emits an alarm so you can head for the shade or apply sun block. Since it can be used for any location in the U.S., it’s a great tool for traveling. It retrieves the UV Index for your current location as provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. You input personal settings related to your skin type and application of sunscreen as well as general weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, mountains, etc.).

Just remember, with any sun exposure, damage to the skin is occurring even before the skin turns red and into sunburn. Excessive unprotected exposure to UV light should be avoided even if there is no visible sunburn; but this app provides a good estimate of time you can be in the sun, lessening the risk of UV rays, and helping keep your skin healthy.

AcneApp
(By DermApps)

$1.99

This best-selling and controversial app was developed by Houston dermatologist Greg Pearson, M.D. and uses LED light therapy to supposedly reduce acne and skin blemishes. Studies have shown blue and red light treatments to be effective in eliminating p-acne bacteria (a major cause of acne). The app uses safe, 420 nanometer blue and 660 nanometer red light (similar to that used in office-based light treatments). The blue light is for fighting acne-causing bacteria, while the red light helps heal skin.

To use the app, you choose a light option (red and blue alternating light is recommended), then rest the iPhone against the skin’s acne prone areas for two minutes daily – it can even be done while talking on the phone.

The app maker provides a warning not to use AcneApp if you are on any medications that make your skin sensitive to light or have any medical conditions that make your skin sensitive to light.

The real question is, does it really work? Reviews are mixed. Although the app is a best seller in the medical category, the App Store listing has a disclaimer that “the app is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended for treatment of any disease or medical condition.”

David Pariser, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology says that although the wavelength of light used in the app is similar to that used in office or spa light treatments, the intensity of the light used by dermatologists “is at least thousands of times greater.”

Some users report outstanding results, while others claim none. At just $1.99 though, it could be worth a try.