Are your products Certified?Updated 2 months ago
Are your products Certified?
We are often asked why our company does not participate in ingredient-rating apps or pursue certifications from other organizations. The short answer is that these systems frequently evaluate ingredients in isolation, without adequately considering how they are actually used in a finished product.
In cosmetic and household formulations, safety is determined by several critical factors: concentration, formulation context, route of exposure, and intended use. Many rating apps rely on hazard-based assessments rather than risk-based ones. This means an ingredient may be flagged as “bad” based on theoretical concerns, even when it is used at extremely low levels that are well-studied and widely accepted by toxicologists and regulatory bodies as safe.
For example, preservatives are essential for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, mold, and yeast. When used correctly and at appropriate concentrations, preservatives protect both the product and the user. An ingredient such as phenoxyethanol is sometimes labeled as a “neurotoxin” in these databases, yet when used at low percentages in topical products like lotions, it is not ingested, does not bioaccumulate, and is not known to penetrate the skin in a way that causes harm. Regulatory agencies around the world allow its use because real-world exposure at these levels has been shown to be safe.
Another example is cocamidopropyl betaine. For a small percentage of people, this ingredient can be a skin sensitizer or allergen, while the vast majority of individuals tolerate it without issue. This is similar to how certain foods, such as peanuts, are safe for most people but can cause reactions in those with specific sensitivities. The presence of a potential allergen does not automatically make an ingredient unsafe overall. It means that individual responses can vary. Cocamidopropyl betaine is widely used because it has a long history of safe use and performs effectively when properly formulated, but as with any ingredient, it may not be the right choice for everyone.
We fully support consumers researching ingredients and understanding what they use in their homes and on their bodies. Informed decision-making matters. However, we believe that some certifications and rating platforms oversimplify complex chemistry, rely on fear-based scoring, and do not always provide the nuance necessary to make truly informed choices.
For us, investing in responsible formulation, supplier transparency, regulatory compliance, and real-world safety data is a better use of resources than paying for participation in systems that may not accurately reflect how a product performs or how its ingredients interact.
If you ever have questions about a specific ingredient or formulation choice, please visit our Ingredients Page.