Research FAQ

CleanFormulation is an independent, research-focused platform that examines the composition, behaviour, and use-context of soaps, detergents, and related ingredients. The work is led by Rifat Jalal (founder and independent researcher) and supported by a structured research process that combines literature review, data modelling, and reproducible documentation. The project operates without brand affiliation and is designed to present ingredient information in a clear, verifiable, and non-promotional manner.

We use a transparent framework combining evidence strength, allergen history, typical consumer exposure, and environmental factors. Each ingredient receives a reproducible score and a public flag. Our Ingredient Framework page explains the exact scoring rules and evidence tiers so readers can follow the reasoning.

We prioritise primary, high-quality sources: regulatory assessments, systematic reviews, peer-reviewed human exposure studies, validated toxicology reports, and dermatology guidance. We list DOIs, PMIDs or agency URLs on ingredient pages whenever available to make verification straightforward.

CleanFormulation does not currently accept funding from brands or industry. The project is independently maintained and all content is produced without external sponsorship. If funding is introduced in the future, it will be clearly disclosed and structured to preserve editorial independence.

Use the contact page and include the INCI name (if available), a product example, and a clear photo of the ingredient list when possible. For product-related incident reports include batch codes and a short timeline of the event. These details help our team prioritise and verify requests faster.

Yes. Qualified researchers may request search strings, source lists, and reproducibility packs for specific entries. Submit a request with purpose and credentials via the contact form. We redact personal data and may limit access where privacy or copyright constraints apply.

We acknowledge receipt within 7 business days. Simple corrections often take 2–4 weeks; substantial evidence reviews require more time because they include additional sourcing and peer checks. If there is a credible and time-sensitive risk signal, we fast-track the review and clearly note the status on the relevant page.

No. CleanFormulation provides educational guidance and evidence summaries. For medical diagnosis or treatment, please consult a licensed clinician. If a report suggests medical risk we state that readers should seek professional medical evaluation through a qualified clinician and will point readers to appropriate resources.

When key studies are paywalled we summarise the findings and provide persistent identifiers (DOI/PMID) so readers can retrieve originals via libraries or institutions. We transparently note when our summary is based on a paywalled source.

We write plain-language summaries, include pronunciation guides for chemical names, provide downloadable accessible PDFs for key reviews, and test pages with screen readers and contrast tools. Our Accessibility page describes this work in detail and invites feedback for continuous improvement.