The scoring system for cosmetics analyzes every ingredient that goes into the product.

Based on the current state of science, each ingredient is assigned a risk level according to its potential effects on health or the environment: endocrine disruption, carcinogenic, allergenic, irritant, or pollutant.

Ingredients are classified into four risk categories:

• Risk-free: 75–100
• Low risk: 50–74
• Moderate risk: 25–49
• High risk: 0–24

The score is based on the level of the highest-risk ingredient present in the product.

If a high-risk ingredient is present, the score will automatically be lower than 25/100. If the highest-risk ingredient is moderate risk, the product’s score will be lower than 50/100.

Yuka's database contains approximately 12,600 cosmetic ingredients. Some may not yet be listed, but they are added after analysis by their toxicologist.