Our Transparency & Vetting Standards

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We curate vendors who have products and services that are safe, effective, and responsibly made. We prioritize ingredient integrity, ethical sourcing, and low-impact packaging—and we tell you exactly what’s inside and why.

• Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free)
• COSMOS (organic/natural cosmetics),
• NSF/ANSI 305 (contains organic ingredients), 
• Packaging made with PCR (post-consumer recycled) content

 We use a rigorous rubric to vet every vendor and product before it reaches our shelves. 

• Never permitted (“No List”): parabens, phthalates, PFAS, formaldehyde donors, coal tar dyes, hydroquinone, triclosan, toluene, BHT/BHA, microbeads (plastic), and undisclosed fragrance allergens.
• Full INCI disclosure required for all leave-on and rinse-off products.
• All colors and fragrances must be compliant with applicable regulations and disclosed (including allergen listing where required).

• Fair labor: Vendor must affirm compliance with ILO standards, no forced or child labor.
• Traceability: Ingredient origin traceable at least to country of origin; priority for farm or primary processor traceability.
• Environmental due diligence: Preference for RSPO (segregated or mass-balance) palm derivatives when applicable; deforestation-free sourcing where relevant.
• Animal welfare:  No animal testing at any stage for finished goods. 

•  Hierarchy: refillable first; recyclable second; minimal plastics throughout.
• Materials: prioritize glass, aluminum, paper/board with high recycled content; plastics must include PCR where feasible.
• Design for recycling: single-material containers where possible; avoid dark/opaque plastics that are not widely recycled; clear labeling of resin codes and disposal guidance.
• No unnecessary secondary packaging. FSC-certified paper preferred

•  Stability and microbiological testing appropriate to product type (e.g., PET/USP <61>/<62> or equivalent).
• Safety assessments: Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) or equivalent dossier (for relevant markets).
• Allergen management and contamination controls documented (especially for nut oils, gluten, or known sensitizers).

•  Must be substantiated and transparent: performance claims supported by data (e.g., consumer use tests, instrumental testing, literature).
• No greenwashing: avoid “chemical-free,” “non-toxic” without context; use precise, verifiable language.
• Compliant with applicable regulations (e.g., FTC Green Guides, EU/UK cosmetic claims standards).
• We display recognized certification badges only when verified (e.g., Leaping Bunny, COSMOS, NSF/ANSI 305). If a product is “made with organic ingredients” but not certified, we state the organic percentage and the standard referenced.

• Required: COAs/spec sheets for key raw materials; Safety Data Sheets; product testing summaries; certificates for relevant standards (e.g., COSMOS, NSF/ANSI 305).
• Annual re-attestation and spot audits.

•  We publish complete INCI lists, including fragrance and flavor components with allergen disclosures where required.
• We identify functionally active ingredients and their purpose (e.g., niacinamide—brightening; panthenol—barrier support).

• We explain what each claim means and link to substantiation (study type, sample size, duration).
• We avoid vague or absolute claims. If a claim is based on in-vitro data, we say so.

 Each product page shows country of origin for manufacturing, key ingredient origins when available, and packaging materials with disposal guidance.