When you scan a product with Rabbithole, you see a single score from 0 to 100. But what does that number actually mean?

The Six Factors

Every product score is calculated from six independently weighted factors:

Ingredient Risk (40%) — the largest factor. We cross-reference every listed ingredient against databases including California Prop 65, the IARC carcinogen classifications, ECHA's Substances of Very High Concern list, and the EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Each ingredient receives a risk score, and the product's ingredient risk is the weighted average.

Ingredient Quality (15%) — beyond just risk, we evaluate ingredient sourcing and purity markers. Products with certified organic ingredients, plant-based formulations, or pharmaceutical-grade components score higher.

Third-Party Verification (15%) — certifications from independent bodies like EWG Verified, NSF International, USDA Organic, and others provide confidence that a product has been tested by someone other than the manufacturer.

Regulatory Compliance (15%) — has this product or its ingredients been flagged by any regulatory agency? We check FDA warning letters, EU RAPEX alerts, and consumer product safety recalls.

Transparency (10%) — does the manufacturer fully disclose ingredients? Do they publish safety data sheets? Companies that are open about what's in their products score higher here.

Community Feedback (5%) — a smaller but important signal. If users consistently flag issues with a product, it's reflected in the score.

What the Tiers Mean

We translate the 0-100 score into five intuitive tiers:

95-100: Excellent — best-in-class safety. These products have clean ingredients, strong certifications, and full transparency.

90-94: Great — very safe with minor areas for improvement.

80-89: Good — safe for most people, but may contain one or two ingredients worth noting.

75-79: Caution — some concerning ingredients or lack of transparency. Consider alternatives.

Below 75: Avoid — significant ingredient concerns or regulatory flags. We recommend switching to a safer alternative.

Our Data Sources

Rabbithole doesn't rely on opinions or sponsorships. Every score is derived from publicly available safety databases, peer-reviewed research, and regulatory filings. We update our database regularly as new research emerges. You can explore the raw data yourself in our ingredient safety database.