A CONSIDERED METHODOLOGY
The Skin Safe Score
A transparent 0–100 interpretation of recognised allergen, irritation, active-intensity and regulatory signals in a product’s published ingredient declaration.
THE PRINCIPLE
A high score must be earned by the published formula.
Each assessment begins at 100 and applies visible deductions when a named signal appears. Signal strength, declaration position, likely leave-on or rinse-off use, multiple formulas and combinations of independent concerns are considered. The result is then separated into allergy, barrier, active-intensity and regulatory perspectives. A product without a published declaration remains Label required—never quietly assigned an invented result.
FOUR DISTINCT LENSES
What the assessment considers
Allergy & sensitivity
Fragrance declarations, sensitising preservatives, dyes, latex and metals.
Barrier & irritation
Stronger cleansing surfactants and prominently listed volatile alcohol.
Active intensity
Retinoids, exfoliating acids and higher-activity treatment ingredients.
Regulatory caution
Current prohibitions and restrictions that make a published label worth checking.
VISIBLE DEDUCTIONS
How the score responds to the label
General fragrance blend
Weighted by label position when fragrance, parfum, perfume or aroma appears.
Label-declared fragrance allergens
EU fragrance-allergen declarations, capped at a 24-point deduction.
Sensitising preservatives or dyes
FDA-listed common allergen signals, with extra weight for MI/MCI in likely leave-on products.
Latex or metal contact allergens
FDA-listed contact-allergen signals, capped at a 24-point deduction.
EU-prohibited ingredients
Current prohibited cosmetic substances such as HICC/Lyral or Lilial trigger a strong regulatory caution and label-verification warning.
Retinoid activity
Vitamin A derivatives and related retinoids, weighted by form, multiple retinoids and leave-on exposure.
High-activity treatments
Hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid, with added weight for leave-on use.
Exfoliating acids
AHA, BHA and PHA signals, weighted by acid type, combinations and likely leave-on use.
Irritation-prone formula signals
Strong lauryl-sulfate surfactants and prominently listed denatured or volatile alcohol.
Multi-formula assessment margin
Sets receive a small transparent margin because the published label combines exposure across several products.
Cumulative signal adjustment
Applied only when more than two independent concern groups occur in one label.
THE INTERPRETIVE SCALE
How to read the result
Lower detected concern
No or few listed reaction signals detected.
Moderate detected concern
Some recognised reaction signals detected.
Elevated detected concern
Several or stronger signals detected.
Higher detected concern
Multiple recognised reaction signals detected.
THE NECESSARY LIMITS
Intelligence, without false certainty.
Real-world suitability depends on concentration, finished-formula behaviour, where and how a product is used, cumulative exposure and the individual. A published ingredient declaration rarely reveals all of that. Product names and categories provide only a cautious indication of likely exposure. Even 100 means that no current named signals were detected—not that a formula is universally suitable.
If you live with eczema, a known allergy, a previous reaction or persistent symptoms, read the physical pack and seek qualified clinical guidance. When allergy is suspected, patch testing belongs with an appropriate healthcare professional.
DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE