Every product in the True Essentials directory carries a Non-Toxic Score from 1 to 10. Here is exactly what that number means, how it is calculated, and what it does — and doesn't — tell you.
What the Score Measures
The score reflects how confidently we can say a product is free from the chemicals and materials we consider high-concern. It is not a measure of efficacy, quality, value, or brand ethics — only of chemical and materials safety relative to conventional alternatives in the same category.
The Four Scoring Criteria
Chemical Avoidance
Does the product avoid the chemicals we track? Products with verified avoidance of multiple high-concern chemicals score higher. The chemicals we track include:
Material Safety
What is the product made from? Safer materials score higher. The materials we consider best-in-class include:
Third-Party Certifications
Does the product carry certifications from independent bodies? Self-declared claims score lower than verified ones. The certifications we recognize include:
Transparency
Does the brand disclose full ingredients or materials? Companies that publish complete ingredient lists, material sourcing documentation, or third-party test results score higher than those making general claims without substantiation.
What the Numbers Mean
Important Limitations
Scores reflect information available at time of research. Products get reformulated. Certifications expire. We review scores periodically but cannot guarantee every score reflects the current product formulation. Always verify current certifications with the brand directly.
We do not test products in a laboratory. Our scores are based on publicly available information, brand disclosures, and third-party certification databases. For products where laboratory testing results are publicly available, we factor those results into our evaluation.
Browse Scored Products
Every product in the directory has been evaluated against these criteria.