How Do We Define Clean?
There is no single definition of “clean” and there is no perfect product. At Clusively, we believe choosing better products starts with understanding what is in them and why certain ingredients may be worth avoiding.
That is why we created our Restricted Ingredients List (RIL).
Our RIL is the standard we use to evaluate every product before it becomes part of the Clusively collection. It is designed to help us identify and reduce ingredients with credible evidence of potential health or environmental concerns, while recognizing that science continues to evolve.
Our Approach
We Look Beyond Marketing Claims
Words like “natural,” “clean,” “green,” and “non-toxic” do not have one universal definition. A product can make these claims while still containing ingredients we would not choose to carry.
Instead of relying on marketing language, we look at the actual ingredient list and evaluate products against our standards.
We Focus on Ingredients, Not Fear
Our standards are not about calling every chemical “bad.” Everything is made of chemicals, including water and the ingredients found in plants.
Instead, we look at the available scientific evidence surrounding individual ingredients and consider potential concerns such as carcinogenicity, hormone disruption, reproductive or developmental toxicity, persistence in the environment, and other relevant hazards.
Our goal is to reduce unnecessary exposure to ingredients with meaningful evidence of concern, not to create fear around chemistry.
We Consider the Intended Use
Context matters. An ingredient may have a place in certain medications, treatments, or specialized applications, even if it is not something we choose for everyday products.
That is why an ingredient appearing on our Restricted Ingredients List does not necessarily mean that it is inherently “bad” or should never be used. Some ingredients may be appropriate or necessary in specific circumstances where the benefits outweigh potential risks.
We consider how a product is intended to be used, who will use it, how frequently it may be used, and the available evidence surrounding an ingredient when applying our standards.
Our Restricted Ingredients List is a standard for the everyday products we choose to carry, not a declaration that every restricted ingredient should never be used.
We Apply Stricter Standards Where Appropriate
Some products require additional consideration.
For example, products intended for babies and everyday pet use are evaluated with additional care because of differences in exposure and use. Our standards are designed to reflect those differences rather than applying a one size fits all approach.
What Is on Our Restricted Ingredients List?
Our Restricted Ingredients List includes ingredients and ingredient categories that we choose not to carry based on their potential health or environmental concerns.
Some examples include:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing ingredients
- PFAS
- Certain cyclic siloxanes
- Triclosan and triclocarban
- Certain ethanolamines
- Nitrosamines
- Hydroquinone
- Resorcinol
- BHA and BHT
- Certain synthetic musks
- Coal tar derivatives
- Undisclosed fragrance ingredients
This list is not simply a collection of ingredients we have decided sound concerning. Each restriction is based on the available evidence and our criteria for evaluating potential hazards.
Science Changes. So Do We.
Science is always evolving. New research can change what we know about an ingredient, its potential risks, or how it should be used.
That is why our standards are not meant to be a declaration that a product is permanently “safe” or “unsafe.” Instead, they represent our current approach to making more informed choices based on the evidence available to us.
We regularly review our standards and update them as our understanding grows.
What This Means for You
You should not have to be a chemist to understand the products you buy.
Clusively does the research and ingredient review so you can spend more time choosing products that align with what matters to you.
We are not here to promise perfection.
We are here to make better, more informed choices easier.