How we rate
MamaKind checks products automatically from published ingredient rules. The same rules drive chips on Check a product and the ingredient definitions list.
Scorecard meanings
- OKFor this life stage, we did not find a documented Avoid ingredient in the formula we evaluated, and coverage is complete enough to support a product-level OK.
- Some considerationsOne or more ingredients have nuances worth understanding — concentration, product type, frequency, or preference may matter (for example fragrance or leave-on strength). Not the same as Avoid. Read the ingredient notes.
- AvoidA documented Avoid ingredient is present and cannot be removed from the formula (for example retinal in a cream). The product outcome matches that ingredient.
- Neutral — More information neededWe could not finish a reliable product-level rating yet (blocked retailer page, highlights-only label, or incomplete list). Ingredient chips may still show what we know.
Life stages
Trying to conceive (TTC), pregnancy, and breastfeeding each have their own exposure context. Each ingredient rule can set a different level per stage. Confirm personal advice with your clinician.
What “complete formula” means
We need the full ingredient list from the package (or a shop page that shows the same list) — the same INCI names printed on the label, in order. Short marketing lines like “infused with vitamin E” only cover the few ingredients named there — a full label list lets us rate the whole product.
Sources we use
We draw on trusted public databases and clinical resources to understand ingredients and what they mean for trying to conceive, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. MamaKind sets the OK / Some considerations / Avoid labels from our published rules.
- EU CosIng — official cosmetic ingredient names (INCI), chemical IDs, and EU use restrictions. Helps us identify what is on the label; MamaKind sets pregnancy-stage ratings separately.
- LactMed (NIH) — peer-reviewed notes on chemicals and breastfeeding.
- Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist — ingredients Canada restricts or prohibits in cosmetics.
- SOGC and MotherToBaby (herbal products) and their full fact-sheet library — Canadian and patient-facing pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance we cite when writing our rules.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) — expert safety assessments we may cite for key ingredients.
- Health Canada Natural Health Product monographs — Canadian label/risk language for many botanicals and supplements (e.g. maca).
- USP / dietary-supplement safety reviews — when a monograph or published safety review discusses pregnancy or lactation cautions.
- e-lactancia (APILAM) — breastfeeding-focused herb and drug compatibility summaries we may cite alongside LactMed.
- NIH LactMed — drug and botanical lactation monographs when a named record exists.
- EWG Skin Deep — extra reading on cosmetic ingredients.
Not medical advice
MamaKind provides informational guidance based on publicly available research and our published rules. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical decisions.