Environmental Working Group (EWG Skin Deep; EWG Verified)
What it is
EWG is a nonprofit advocacy organization publishing the Skin Deep cosmetics database, EWG Healthy Living app, Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen pesticide lists, and EWG Verified product certification.
What it covers
Skin Deep: ingredient-level hazard scores for 70000+ cosmetic and personal care products. Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen: annual pesticide residue rankings. EWG Verified: paid certification.
How to verify
Search at ewg.org/skindeep. Publicly accessible without account.
How SafeMama uses it
Cross-reference signal for personal care ingredient concerns. Link-only to EWG pages. Disclose EWG Verified conflict when mentioned alongside Skin Deep ratings.
Limitations / conflicts
Hazard-based scoring criticized as overstating risk (hazard does not equal risk). Data redistribution prohibited. EWG Verified creates conflict of interest. Not a regulatory body.
Verify it yourself
Don't take our word for it — check the source directly. Certifications lapse and data changes; the official database is always the current answer.
Worth knowing
- EWG ratings reflect EWG assessment and may not represent scientific consensus