Purpose of the Transparency Index
At CleanFormulation, we believe transparency is the cornerstone of consumer trust. The Transparency Index is a structured transparency framework that summarizes how much reliable information is available for a given ingredient. Every score reflects a blend of scientific evaluation, ethical sourcing, and openness in data reporting, aligned with the principles outlined in our Ethics & Transparency framework, helping readers understand the quality, completeness, and transparency of available ingredient information.
How the Transparency Index Works
The Transparency Index evaluates each soap ingredient using five key dimensions. Each is weighted according to scientific relevance and consumer impact. Scores are normalized to a 100-point scale for consistency.
| Category | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Coverage (Toxicology & Exposure) | 40% | Reflects the availability and quality of publicly accessible toxicological and exposure-related evidence. |
| Transparency of Source | 20% | Assesses how clearly a manufacturer or supplier discloses the origin and purity of the ingredient. |
| Environmental Impact | 15% | Considers biodegradability, aquatic safety, and sustainability of raw material sourcing. |
| Data Reliability | 15% | Evaluates the credibility of the data sources, prioritizing peer-reviewed and governmental datasets. |
| Ethical Considerations | 10% | Documents publicly disclosed sourcing practices, testing statements, and ethical claims where available. |
Understanding the Score
- 90–100: Extensive – Broad, well-documented public evidence and disclosures.
- 70–89: Substantial – Good documentation with some gaps or limitations.
- 50–69: Limited – Partial disclosures or fragmented evidence.
- Below 50: Sparse – Minimal publicly accessible information.
Each ingredient page within the Ingredient Library directly links to its Transparency Index profile, ensuring consistent access to evidence and scoring rationale.
Data Sources & Verification
Transparency scores are derived from multiple reputable scientific and regulatory databases, including:
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- PubChem & NCBI Database
- OECD chemical assessment summaries
- Peer-reviewed scientific journals in toxicology and dermatology
Each entry undergoes internal verification to ensure that data integrity is preserved and with documented efforts to minimize commercial influence, consistent with our Editorial Policy.
Ethical Transparency Commitment
We maintain full independence in all ingredient evaluations. CleanFormulation accepts no paid partnerships or promotional incentives influencing scores. Every transparency grade is earned through evidence, not marketing influence.
Review & Update Frequency
Ingredient scores are reviewed at least once every six months or immediately after any major regulatory update, new peer-reviewed study, or product reformulation affecting available evidence or public disclosures.
Changes to the scoring system or datasets are documented in the Research Updates Log for full public accountability.
The Transparency Index is not a safety certification, regulatory determination, or medical assessment, as detailed in our Disclaimers; it summarizes evidence availability and disclosure quality only.