Learn more about ratings assigned to each product and individual ingredients
Our ratings are primarily from the CIR (The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety) which is an independent panel of experts that assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics and publishes their results in peer-reviewed literature.
The CIR is an independent, non-profit scientific body that was launched in 1976 with support of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) to assess the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in the U.S.
The CIR comprises of world-renowned scientists, including dermatologists, pathologists, toxicologists, and chemists. These experts are independent of the cosmetics industry and must adhere to a strict conflict of interest policy.
Rating for products that have no known cautionary or dirty ingredients. These products are seen as safe to use in the present practices of use and concentration.
Rating for products that have one or more known cautionary ingredients but no known dirty ingredients. It's best to avoid these products if possible but it does not mean they're inherently bad (so don't throw away every product you own with this rating).
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Rating for products that have one or more known dirty ingredients. Products with this rating should never be used.
Rating for ingredients that have sufficient data to show they're safe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration.
Rating for ingredients that either have insufficient data to prove whether they're safe or unsafe to use in cosmetic formulations. It's best to avoid products these ingredients if possible, but products with these ingredients does not mean they're inherently bad.
Rating for ingredients that have sufficient data to show they're unsafe in cosmetic formulations in the present practices of use and concentration. Products with these ingredients should never be used.
The safety of this ingredient has not been assessed yet.