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AleWWH1104

Skincare Recommendation MCP Server

by AleWWH1104

Skincare Recommendation MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that helps recommend skincare products based on a client's skin type and concerns, checks for known ingredient conflicts with their current routine, and looks up stock/pricing or alternatives from a simulated store inventory.

Built for the "Uso de un protocolo existente" project (CC3067 Redes, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala). Runs locally over stdio — no network access, no API keys required.

Features

  • Search a product catalog by skin type and/or skincare concern

  • Look up full details (price, stock, active ingredients) for a specific product

  • Find in-stock alternatives that share an active ingredient with an out-of-stock or discontinued product

  • Check whether a candidate product's active ingredients conflict with a client's current routine, using a rule set based on real dermatological interactions (e.g. retinol + AHA acids, benzoyl peroxide + tretinoin)

  • End-to-end recommendation: filter the catalog by skin type/concerns and flag conflicts against the current routine in one call

Related MCP server: Skincare MCP

Requirements

  • uv (manages the Python version and dependencies — nothing else to install manually)

Installation

git clone <https://github.com/AleWWH1104/skincare-mcp-server.git>
cd skincare-mcp-server
uv sync

uv sync reads pyproject.toml/uv.lock and creates an isolated .venv with the exact dependency versions this server was built and tested against.

Running it standalone (for testing)

Use the official MCP Inspector to call each tool by hand from a web UI, without needing an LLM host:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uv run python server.py

Connecting it to an MCP host

This server speaks MCP over stdio. Point your host's MCP client at:

uv run --directory /absolute/path/to/skincare-mcp-server python server.py

Example host-side config entry (Python, matching this project's own host):

MCPServerConfig(
    name="skincare",
    command="uv",
    args=["run", "--directory", "/absolute/path/to/skincare-mcp-server", "python", "server.py"],
)

Data model

Several tools return a Product object:

Field

Type

Notes

id

string

e.g. "sr-001"

name

string

brand

string

category

string

"limpiador", "sérum", "tratamiento", "hidratante", "protector solar"

skin_types

string[]

e.g. "grasa", "seca", "mixta", "sensible", "normal"

concerns

string[]

e.g. "acné", "manchas", "arrugas", "sensibilidad", "hidratación"

active_ingredients

string[]

e.g. "niacinamida", "retinol"

price

number

stock

integer

0 means out of stock

description

string

Tools

search_products

Search the catalog by skin type and/or concern.

Parameters

Name

Type

Required

Default

Description

skin_type

string

no

""

e.g. "grasa". Empty string skips this filter.

concern

string

no

""

e.g. "acné". Empty string skips this filter.

in_stock_only

boolean

no

true

Exclude products with stock == 0.

Returns: Product[]

Example

{ "skin_type": "grasa", "concern": "acné" }
[
    { "id": "cl-001", "name": "Gel Limpiador Purificante", "brand": "DermaPura", "stock": 14, "...": "..." },
    { "id": "sr-001", "name": "Sérum Niacinamida 10%", "brand": "PureLab", "stock": 9, "...": "..." }
]

get_product_details

Full details for one product by id.

Parameters

Name

Type

Required

product_id

string

yes

Returns: Product, or {"error": "..."} if the id doesn't exist.

Example

{ "product_id": "sr-001" }
{
    "id": "sr-001",
    "name": "Sérum Niacinamida 10%",
    "brand": "PureLab",
    "price": 145.0,
    "stock": 9,
    "active_ingredients": ["niacinamida"]
}

find_alternatives

Other in-stock products sharing at least one active ingredient with the given product — for when it's out of stock or the client wants a different brand.

Parameters

Name

Type

Required

Default

product_id

string

yes

in_stock_only

boolean

no

true

Returns: Product[]

Examplesr-002 (a vitamin C serum) is out of stock:

{ "product_id": "sr-002" }
[{ "id": "sr-006", "name": "Sérum Vitamina C 10% Suave", "brand": "GlowCo", "stock": 10 }]

check_ingredient_conflicts

Check a candidate product's active ingredients against ingredients the client is already using.

Parameters

Name

Type

Required

Description

current_ingredients

string[]

yes

Active ingredients in the client's current routine.

candidate_ingredients

string[]

yes

Active ingredients of the product being considered.

Returns: array of conflicts, empty if none found:

[
    {
        "ingredients": ["retinol", "ácido glicólico"],
        "severity": "avoid",
        "reason": "Combining retinol with AHA exfoliants in the same routine significantly increases the risk of irritation, dryness and peeling.",
        "recommendation": "Alternate nights: retinol one night, AHA/BHA exfoliant the next, never the same day."
    }
]

Example call

{ "current_ingredients": ["retinol"], "candidate_ingredients": ["ácido glicólico"] }

recommend_products

End-to-end recommendation: filter the catalog by skin type/concerns, and flag conflicts against the client's current routine for every match.

Parameters

Name

Type

Required

Description

skin_type

string

yes

e.g. "grasa".

concerns

string[]

yes

e.g. ["acné", "manchas"].

current_ingredients

string[]

no

Active ingredients already in the client's routine.

Returns

{
    "recommendations": [
        {
            "product": { "id": "sr-001", "name": "Sérum Niacinamida 10%", "...": "..." },
            "conflicts": [],
            "safe_to_combine": true
        },
        {
            "product": { "id": "tr-002", "name": "Exfoliante Químico AHA/BHA", "...": "..." },
            "conflicts": [{ "severity": "caution", "...": "..." }],
            "safe_to_combine": false
        }
    ]
}

Notes

  • The product catalog (data/inventory.json) is simulated data for this project, not a real store.

  • The ingredient interaction rules (data/ingredient_rules.json) are simplified from real, commonly cited dermatological guidance (e.g. retinol/AHA, benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin). This is a demo tool, not medical or professional skincare advice.

Available Tools

5 tools
check_ingredient_conflictsA

Check whether a candidate product's active ingredients conflict with ingredients the client already uses.

Args: current_ingredients: active ingredients in the client's current routine. candidate_ingredients: active ingredients of the product being considered.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
current_ingredientsYes
candidate_ingredientsYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the burden of behavioral disclosure. 'Check whether' strongly implies a read-only, non-destructive operation, and the parameter descriptions clarify what is being compared. However, it does not state whether any data is modified, whether authentication is required, or how conflicts are determined.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is compact and well organized: a single purpose sentence followed by a clear Args list. No redundant phrasing or unnecessary detail; every sentence earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the simple parameter signature, the presence of an output schema, and no nested objects, the description covers the essential context. It leaves minor gaps around how conflict results are represented, but those are presumably satisfied by the output schema.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It does so by explaining both parameters in plain language: current_ingredients are the client's active ingredients and candidate_ingredients are those in the product under consideration. This adds meaningful semantic value beyond the bare array-of-strings schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a precise action—'Check whether'—against a specific resource: ingredient conflicts between a candidate product and the client's current routine. This clearly separates it from sibling tools like search_products or recommend_products, which serve different functions.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description establishes clear context: use it when evaluating a candidate product against the client's current ingredients. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use it, but the use case is obvious enough that an agent can route to it appropriately.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

find_alternativesA

Find other in-stock products sharing at least one active ingredient with the given product - useful when it's out of stock or the client wants a different brand with the same effect.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
product_idYes
in_stock_onlyNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full disclosure burden. It discloses the core behavior: sharing at least one active ingredient, in-stock filtering, and returning 'other' products. However, it does not explicitly state whether the operation is read-only, how results are ordered or paginated, or whether the given product is excluded beyond the word 'other.'

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The entire description is one efficient sentence that front-loads the operation and matching rule, then adds a relevant use case. There is no filler or repetition of the schema.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a 2-parameter tool with no annotations and minimal schema, the description covers the main purpose and use case but omits the in_stock_only parameter behavior. It also does not explicitly distinguish itself from recommend_products, leaving some ambiguity in edge cases. An output schema exists, but the description still needs to explain how to control the stock filter.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It clarifies product_id via 'the given product,' but it never mentions the in_stock_only parameter, its default value, or how setting it to false changes the result. This is a significant gap because that parameter controls the core stock filter.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific verb and resource: 'Find other in-stock products sharing at least one active ingredient with the given product.' It clearly differentiates this from generic search_products and recommend_products by naming the exact matching rule and the out-of-stock/different-brand use case.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives a concrete when-to-use signal: 'useful when it's out of stock or the client wants a different brand with the same effect.' It does not explicitly name alternatives or exclusions, but the use case is clear enough to guide tool selection among the siblings.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_product_detailsA

Get full details (price, stock, active ingredients) for one product by its id.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
product_idYes

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It indicates a read operation through 'Get' and lists expected data fields, but it does not explicitly state that the operation is side-effect-free, nor does it mention error cases (e.g., unknown product id) or any authentication requirements. Partial disclosure only.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

A single, front-loaded sentence that states the action, the key data returned, and the required identifier. No filler or redundant content, making it efficient and easy to parse.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple one-parameter read tool with no output schema, the description covers the essential return fields and the required input. It does not specify the full response structure or error behavior, but the listed fields and clear purpose are sufficient for an agent to invoke it correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 0% description coverage for product_id, and the description only says 'by its id', which essentially restates the parameter name. It adds no format, example, or clarification about what constitutes a valid product id, so it fails to compensate for the schema's lack of detail.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states a specific verb ('Get') and resource ('full details ... for one product') and lists the exact fields returned (price, stock, active ingredients). The phrase 'by its id' distinguishes it from sibling search/recommendation tools, making the tool's purpose unambiguous.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives a clear usage context: use this tool when you have a product id and need full details for that specific product. It does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use it, but the 'by its id' condition provides enough guidance to infer appropriate use.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

recommend_productsA

End-to-end recommendation: find in-stock products matching the client's skin type and concerns, and flag any that conflict with their current routine.

Args: skin_type: client's skin type, e.g. "grasa". concerns: concerns to address, e.g. ["acné", "manchas"]. current_ingredients: active ingredients already in the client's routine.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
concernsYes
skin_typeYes
current_ingredientsNo

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the behavioral burden. It discloses two important non-obvious behaviors: only in-stock products are considered and conflicting products are flagged based on current routine ingredients. It still does not define the exact return shape or handling of no-match cases, but for a non-destructive recommendation tool it provides meaningful transparency.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The main behavior is captured in one front-loaded sentence, followed by concise per-parameter arg descriptions. There is no marketing fluff or redundant repetition of the schema. Every line contributes necessary information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a three-parameter tool with no output schema, the description gives enough to invoke it correctly and understand the general result: recommended in-stock products with conflict flags. The main gap is the lack of an explicit return format, but the behavioral description narrows that gap considerably. It is adequate for practical selection and invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, and the Args section compensates by describing each paramter in plain language. It gives a concrete skin_type example ('grasa'), shows that concerns is a list of concerns to address, and clarifies current_ingredients as active ingredients already in the client's routine. It could add allowed values or the effect of omitting current_ingredients, but it adds real semantic value beyond the schema titles.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific action: find in-stock products matching skin type and concerns, then flag conflicts with the client's current routine. The 'end-to-end' framing plus the conflict-flagging step clearly differentiates it from siblings like search_products and check_ingredient_conflicts. It leaves no ambiguity about what the tool does.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The phrase 'end-to-end recommendation' implies this tool combines product search and conflict checking, so an agent can infer when it is appropriate. However, it never explicitly says when to use this tool instead of search_products, find_alternatives, or check_ingredient_conflicts. There is no when-not-to-use guidance, so usage context is only implied.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

search_productsA

Search the store's product catalog by skin type and/or skincare concern.

Args: skin_type: e.g. "grasa", "seca", "mixta", "sensible", "normal". Empty to skip this filter. concern: e.g. "acné", "manchas", "arrugas", "sensibilidad", "hidratación". Empty to skip this filter. in_stock_only: only return products currently in stock.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
concernNo
skin_typeNo
in_stock_onlyNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral disclosure burden. It does disclose the return-oriented behavior of in_stock_only and the empty-string skip semantics, and 'Search' signals a read operation. Still, it does not mention result count, pagination, or any side-effect/permission profile, leaving some behavior implicit.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The one-sentence summary is front-loaded, followed by a compact Args block. Each line adds a specific example or behavior, so there is no filler.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a 3-parameter read-only search with an output schema present, the definition provides enough invocation detail: all params explained, defaults in schema, return shape in output schema. It only lacks sibling-selection guidance and a note on result limits, so 4.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters5/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must define the parameters, and it does. skin_type and concern include concrete example values and the explicit 'Empty to skip this filter' instruction, and in_stock_only is defined as 'only return products currently in stock'. This covers all three parameters with meaning beyond the schema's names and defaults.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description opens with a specific action ('Search') and resource ('the store's product catalog'), and narrows scope with 'by skin type and/or skincare concern'. This makes the operation clear, but it never names sibling tools or states how it differs from them, so it stays at 4.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The Args section tells callers exactly which filters are available and how to skip each one, but there is no explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance relative to siblings like get_product_details, find_alternatives, or recommend_products. Usage is implied rather than stated.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 5 tool updatesv0.1.0
    • First observedcheck_ingredient_conflicts
    • First observedfind_alternatives
    • First observedget_product_details
    • First observedrecommend_products
    • First observedsearch_products

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

Most tools map to clearly distinct tasks: catalog search, product details, alternatives, conflict checking, and full recommendations. The only notable ambiguity is between search_products and recommend_products, since the latter includes the former's filtering behavior plus conflict flagging, but the descriptions make the distinction recoverable.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun snake_case pattern: search_products, get_product_details, find_alternatives, check_ingredient_conflicts, recommend_products. No mixed naming conventions or vague verbs.

Tool Count5/5

Five tools is a well-scoped size for a specialized skincare recommendation server. Each tool addresses a distinct step in the workflow without redundancy or bloat.

Completeness5/5

The tool surface covers the full recommendation workflow: searching/filtering, retrieving details, finding alternatives, checking ingredient conflicts, and generating end-to-end recommendations. No obvious dead ends or missing operations for the stated purpose.

Maintenance

ActivityMaintained
ResponsivenessNo issues

Resources

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