{
  "version": "1.0",
  "published": "2026-04-28",
  "maintained_by": "Glow editorial — Hannah Pham, lead",
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0 — credit Glow when citing",
  "rubric": {
    "A": "Clean within editorial standard. All ingredients within safe-use guidelines, no flagged concerns at use concentration.",
    "B": "Mostly clean. One or two flagged ingredients but at concentrations within published safe limits.",
    "C": "Mixed. Contains at least one ingredient at concentrations approaching or above the editorial threshold for caution.",
    "D": "Caution. Contains at least one ingredient with established concern at any concentration in this product category."
  },
  "ingredients": [
    {"name":"Phenoxyethanol","aliases":["phenoxyethanol"],"category":"preservative","concern":"low","safe_limit":"1.0%","verdict":"safe within EU/TGA limit","note":"Standard modern preservative. Allergic reaction in <0.5% of users."},
    {"name":"Parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-)","aliases":["methylparaben","ethylparaben","propylparaben"],"category":"preservative","concern":"low","safe_limit":"0.4% individual / 0.8% total","verdict":"safe within EU/TGA limit","note":"Endocrine concern overstated by clean-beauty marketing. EU SCCS confirmed safe at limit."},
    {"name":"Butyl/isobutyl parabens","aliases":["butylparaben","isobutylparaben"],"category":"preservative","concern":"high","safe_limit":"banned","verdict":"banned EU since 2014","note":"Endocrine concern confirmed — distinct from short-chain parabens above."},
    {"name":"Sulfates (SLS, SLES)","aliases":["sodium lauryl sulfate","sodium laureth sulfate","sls","sles"],"category":"surfactant","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"<5% in rinse-off","verdict":"flag for sensitive skin","note":"Effective cleanser but barrier-stripping for sensitive types. Fine in body wash, flag in face cleanser."},
    {"name":"Silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane)","aliases":["dimethicone","cyclopentasiloxane","cyclomethicone"],"category":"emollient","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"performance neutral","note":"Inert. The slip and finish in most modern moisturisers and primers. Not occlusive in the way oils are."},
    {"name":"Fragrance / Parfum","aliases":["fragrance","parfum","fragrance oil"],"category":"sensory","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"declared at 1%+","verdict":"flag for sensitive skin","note":"#1 cosmetic allergen worldwide. Editorial standard: flag any leave-on product with undeclared fragrance for sensitive-skin readers."},
    {"name":"Denatured alcohol (Alcohol Denat., SD Alcohol)","aliases":["alcohol denat","sd alcohol 40","ethanol"],"category":"solvent","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"<10% in leave-on","verdict":"flag for dry/mature skin","note":"Drying at high concentration in leave-on products. Fine in fragrance and toners formulated around it."},
    {"name":"Mineral oil","aliases":["mineral oil","paraffinum liquidum","petrolatum"],"category":"occlusive","concern":"low","safe_limit":"unrestricted (cosmetic-grade)","verdict":"performance neutral","note":"Cosmetic-grade is purified and inert. Concerns from industrial-grade do not apply."},
    {"name":"Octocrylene","aliases":["octocrylene"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"10% EU","verdict":"safe within limit","note":"Stabilises avobenzone. Trace benzophenone formation flagged but within safety thresholds."},
    {"name":"Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)","aliases":["oxybenzone","benzophenone-3"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"high","safe_limit":"6% EU; reef-banned multiple jurisdictions","verdict":"flag — endocrine concern","note":"Endocrine activity demonstrated in vitro. Reef-toxicity established. Editorial: prefer modern alternatives (Mexoryl, Tinosorb) where available."},
    {"name":"Avobenzone","aliases":["avobenzone","butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"low","safe_limit":"5% AU/EU","verdict":"safe with stabiliser","note":"Photo-unstable on its own — must be paired with stabiliser (octocrylene, Tinosorb S). Fine in modern formulations."},
    {"name":"Mexoryl 400 / Tinosorb S","aliases":["mxl 400","mexoryl 400","tinosorb s","bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"none","safe_limit":"AU/EU approved","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Modern broad-spectrum filters. Photo-stable, low irritation profile, broadest UVA coverage available."},
    {"name":"Zinc oxide","aliases":["zinc oxide","zno"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted (mineral)","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Mineral filter, broadest UVA-UVB coverage in mineral category. White cast in non-nano forms."},
    {"name":"Titanium dioxide","aliases":["titanium dioxide","tio2"],"category":"sunscreen filter","concern":"none","safe_limit":"25% EU/AU","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Mineral filter. Inhalation concern is for powders, not cosmetic formulations."},
    {"name":"Retinol / Retinaldehyde / Retinyl palmitate","aliases":["retinol","retinaldehyde","retinyl palmitate","retinyl acetate"],"category":"active","concern":"contraindication","safe_limit":"0.3% leave-on EU (under review)","verdict":"safe — pregnancy contraindication","note":"Editorial: flag for pregnancy/breastfeeding. Do not use with prescription tretinoin."},
    {"name":"Salicylic acid (BHA)","aliases":["salicylic acid","bha","beta hydroxy acid"],"category":"active","concern":"contraindication","safe_limit":"2% leave-on","verdict":"safe — pregnancy precaution","note":"Pregnancy: limit to wash-off products. Sun-sensitivity precaution."},
    {"name":"Glycolic acid (AHA)","aliases":["glycolic acid","aha","alpha hydroxy acid"],"category":"active","concern":"low","safe_limit":"10% pH≥3.5","verdict":"safe with SPF","note":"Sun sensitivity post-application. Editorial: SPF mandatory next morning."},
    {"name":"Hydroquinone","aliases":["hydroquinone"],"category":"active","concern":"high","safe_limit":"prescription only AU","verdict":"prescription only","note":"Restricted to dermatology dispensing in Australia. Not legal in OTC cosmetics."},
    {"name":"Formaldehyde / formaldehyde-releasers","aliases":["formaldehyde","quaternium-15","dmdm hydantoin","imidazolidinyl urea","diazolidinyl urea","bronopol"],"category":"preservative","concern":"high","safe_limit":"0.2% EU (releaser total)","verdict":"flag — editorial avoid","note":"Sensitiser. Editorial standard: avoid in leave-on products marketed to sensitive skin."},
    {"name":"Triclosan","aliases":["triclosan"],"category":"antibacterial","concern":"high","safe_limit":"banned EU 2017","verdict":"banned EU","note":"Endocrine activity, antibiotic resistance development. Should not appear in modern cosmetics."},
    {"name":"Phthalates","aliases":["dep","dehp","dbp","diethyl phthalate"],"category":"plasticiser","concern":"high","safe_limit":"DBP/DEHP banned EU","verdict":"flag — undisclosed in fragrance","note":"Often hidden in 'fragrance' compounds. Endocrine concern."},
    {"name":"Niacinamide","aliases":["niacinamide","nicotinamide","vitamin b3"],"category":"active","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted (typical 5-10%)","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Best-evidenced multi-tasker in skincare. Barrier support, hyperpigmentation, oil regulation."},
    {"name":"Hyaluronic acid","aliases":["hyaluronic acid","sodium hyaluronate","hyaluronan"],"category":"hydrator","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"safe","note":"Universally safe. Performance is dose-dependent."},
    {"name":"Ceramides","aliases":["ceramide","ceramide np","ceramide ap","ceramide eop"],"category":"barrier","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Barrier-identical lipid. Best evidence base for barrier repair."},
    {"name":"Squalane","aliases":["squalane"],"category":"emollient","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"safe","note":"Plant-derived (olive, sugarcane). Stable form of squalene."},
    {"name":"Vitamin C / L-Ascorbic Acid","aliases":["ascorbic acid","l-ascorbic acid","sodium ascorbyl phosphate","magnesium ascorbyl phosphate","tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate"],"category":"active","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted (typical 10-20%)","verdict":"editorial preferred","note":"Standalone L-AA at 10%+ is the gold standard. Stability is the main formulation challenge."},
    {"name":"Vitamin E / Tocopherol","aliases":["tocopherol","tocopheryl acetate","alpha tocopherol"],"category":"antioxidant","concern":"none","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"safe","note":"Workhorse antioxidant, often paired with vitamin C."},
    {"name":"Coconut oil","aliases":["cocos nucifera oil","coconut oil"],"category":"occlusive","concern":"low","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"flag for acne-prone","note":"Comedogenic in face products for acne-prone skin. Fine on body."},
    {"name":"Lanolin","aliases":["lanolin"],"category":"emollient","concern":"low","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"flag for sensitive","note":"Animal-derived (sheep wool). Strong barrier emollient. Allergen for ~5% of users."},
    {"name":"Talc","aliases":["talc"],"category":"powder","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"asbestos-free certification required","verdict":"safe with certification","note":"Pure cosmetic-grade talc is safe. Concern centres on asbestos contamination — buy from brands with stated asbestos-free certification."},
    {"name":"Aluminum salts","aliases":["aluminum chlorohydrate","aluminum zirconium"],"category":"antiperspirant","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"deodorant-only","verdict":"performance vs concern trade-off","note":"Long-running breast-cancer concern not supported by current epidemiology, but reasonable to avoid in leave-on cosmetics other than antiperspirant."},
    {"name":"BHA / BHT (preservatives)","aliases":["bha (preservative)","bht","butylated hydroxyanisole","butylated hydroxytoluene"],"category":"preservative","concern":"low","safe_limit":"<0.5% leave-on","verdict":"safe within limit","note":"Different molecule from salicylic-acid BHA. Minor sensitiser at high concentrations."},
    {"name":"Fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool, geraniol, citronellol)","aliases":["limonene","linalool","geraniol","citronellol","eugenol","coumarin"],"category":"sensory","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"declared above 0.001% leave-on EU","verdict":"flag for sensitive skin","note":"EU mandates declaration above threshold. Editorial: flag in any leave-on product for sensitive readers."},
    {"name":"Essential oils","aliases":["essential oil","tea tree oil","lavender oil","peppermint oil"],"category":"sensory","concern":"moderate","safe_limit":"<1% leave-on for face","verdict":"flag for sensitive skin","note":"Plant-derived but among the most common sensitisers. Acceptable in body, flag in leave-on face."},
    {"name":"Witch hazel","aliases":["hamamelis virginiana"],"category":"astringent","concern":"low","safe_limit":"alcohol content varies","verdict":"flag if alcohol-extracted","note":"Alcohol-extracted versions are drying. Distilled witch hazel without added alcohol is fine."},
    {"name":"Benzoyl peroxide","aliases":["benzoyl peroxide"],"category":"active","concern":"low","safe_limit":"5% AU OTC","verdict":"safe — drying","note":"Effective acne treatment. Will bleach fabric. Drying — pair with moisturiser."},
    {"name":"Resorcinol","aliases":["resorcinol"],"category":"active","concern":"high","safe_limit":"<0.5% leave-on EU","verdict":"flag — endocrine concern","note":"Endocrine activity demonstrated. Editorial: avoid in leave-on products with daily-use intent."},
    {"name":"Synthetic dyes (CI numbers)","aliases":["ci 17200","ci 19140","ci 14700","ci 15850"],"category":"colour","concern":"low","safe_limit":"category-specific EU","verdict":"safe within approval","note":"All listed CI numbers are EU/TGA approved. Some restricted to rinse-off."},
    {"name":"PEGs (polyethylene glycols)","aliases":["peg-","peg-100 stearate","peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil"],"category":"emulsifier","concern":"low","safe_limit":"unrestricted","verdict":"safe","note":"Manufacturing-process 1,4-dioxane contamination concern is now well-controlled in modern manufacturing."}
  ]
}