About the Researcher

Researcher Profile

I am Rifat Jalal , the founder and independent researcher behind CleanFormulation. My work focuses on understanding how soap, detergent and cosmetic ingredients actually behave - not just how they are marketed. CleanFormulation is led by the founder and supported by a small team of contributors involved in research, writing, and review. As the project expands, additional contributors may participate within the same research framework.

CleanFormulation is currently led by founder Rifat Jalal. As the ingredient database expands, additional researchers and formulation specialists may contribute to writing and technical review. All contributors are listed transparently on the Editorial Team & Contributors page.

Professional Orientation

I spend much of my time reviewing EU SCCS opinions, toxicology assessments, and historical formulation documents to determine whether a widely discussed ingredient is genuinely problematic at real-world concentrations or simply misunderstood.

Scope of Research Focus

Soap and cleansing products are frequently presented through simplified marketing narratives, while their underlying chemistry and regulatory context remain complex. CleanFormulation evaluates ingredient systems within real-world exposure conditions, focusing on composition, concentration relevance, barrier interaction, preservative function, surfactant behavior, and labeling interpretation.

Research Methodology

All evaluations follow a documented, structured review protocol designed to ensure consistency across ingredient and product analyses.

1. Primary Evidence Identification

Source material is drawn from peer-reviewed literature, regulatory assessments (including EU regulatory frameworks), toxicology databases, dermatology consensus statements, and official public guidance documents. Priority is given to primary research and regulatory opinions over secondary summaries or marketing materials.

2. Evidence Hierarchy & Contextual Weighting

Findings are evaluated according to study design quality, reproducibility, exposure relevance, and concentration realism. Laboratory studies conducted at non-consumer exposure levels are clearly distinguished from real-world topical use scenarios.

3. Exposure & Risk Context

Ingredient interpretation considers formulation concentration ranges, rinse-off versus leave-on dynamics, frequency of use, dermal absorption potential, and population sensitivity (e.g., compromised barrier conditions). Risk discussion is grounded in practical consumer exposure rather than theoretical hazard alone.

4. Structured Consumer Translation

Technical findings are translated into plain-language summaries while preserving scientific nuance. Where evidence is mixed, limited, or evolving, uncertainty is stated explicitly. No conclusions are presented without reference to identifiable source categories.

5. Continuous Review Protocol

Pages include documented review dates. Regulatory changes, new safety assessments, or significant literature updates trigger re-evaluation. Substantive changes are recorded transparently through update logs and correction notices.

Ethical Standards & Independence

CleanFormulation operates independently of skincare, cosmetic, or detergent manufacturers. Editorial content is not sponsored by product brands. No commission-based product promotion is conducted within research evaluations.

Any financial or collaborative relationships relevant to published content are disclosed explicitly. Data interpretation is conducted without commercial influence.

Training & Competence Areas

• Academic Foundation: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry focus), University of Kashmir.
• Evidence Appraisal: Structured literature review and synthesis methodology.
• Regulatory Literacy: Ongoing review of EU cosmetic regulation (Regulation 1223/2009), claims framework (Regulation 655/2013), and related guidance documents.
• Formulation Fundamentals: Surfactant systems, preservative function, pH dynamics, and barrier interaction principles.
• Consumer Interpretation Framework: Translation of toxicological and regulatory assessments into non-clinical consumer guidance.

Public Research Outputs

• Ingredient evaluations with structured source categories.
• Product composition analysis within regulatory context.
• Methodology documentation and evidence framework explanations.
• Transparency reports, correction notices, and update logs.

Professional Collaboration

Methodological review and academic collaboration may be considered in the future. Any such collaboration will follow clearly defined disclosure standards and data transparency requirements. Collaborative work prioritizes clarity, reproducibility, and consumer safety impact.

Corrections & Transparency Policy

Accuracy is maintained through structured correction procedures. Substantive errors, citation gaps, or interpretive revisions are publicly documented. Readers are encouraged to report potential inaccuracies through the designated contact channel.

Engagement & Communication

Inquiries related to ingredient evaluation, research clarification, collaboration proposals, or correction requests may be submitted through the Contact page. Supporting documentation is reviewed where provided.

Research Position Statement

CleanFormulation exists to provide structured, evidence-based interpretation of consumer cleansing products within regulatory and real-world context. The objective is clarity, methodological transparency, and disciplined separation between marketing language and formulation analysis.