Our Verification Process

How ICTA® Evaluates and Certifies Products

Products must achieve compliance across all categories to earn the ICTA Verified badge.

Formulation Purity (40%)

Ingredient safety & absence of harmful chemicals.

Efficacy & Performance (30%)

Clinical or consumer-proven effectiveness.

Safety & Compliance (30%)

Regulatory alignment & dermatological safety.

Overview

The ICTA® Verified badge signifies that a cosmetic or skincare product has met the highest standards for:

  • Purity of formulation

  • Efficacy of active ingredients

  • Safety for consumer use & Regulatory compliance

Each product is evaluated based on a weighted scoring system, and must achieve a minimum composite score of 80% to be ICTA® Verified.

What Does ICTA® Verification Mean?

The ICTA® Verified Certification is a science-based, independently awarded badge that confirms a product’s purity, safety, performance, and global regulatory compliance. This certification cannot be purchased—it must be earned through data, documentation, and rigorous evaluation by experts in cosmetic science and safety. Each brand or product that goes through testing must receive at least a score of 80% to be deemed ICTA® Verified.

Evaluation Process

1. Ingredient Analysis

  • INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) review

  • Cross-reference against global banned/restricted lists (EU, ASEAN, FDA)

  • Analysis of ingredient sourcing and potential contaminants

A product/brand is automatically disqualified if: Any harmful or red-flag ingredients are detected above threshold.

2. Efficacy & Claims Validation

We assess whether the product actually does what it promises, through:

  • Clinical trial results or lab testing data

  • Consumer panel or real-world usage studies

  • Ingredient-function match: Do actives have proven effects?

Example: A “brightening serum” must include actives clinically shown to reduce pigmentation or increase luminosity.

3. Regulatory & Safety Audit

We check if the product is safe for daily consumer use:

  • Dermatological test results (e.g., irritation, sensitivity)

  • Safety data sheets (SDS), CPSRs, and stability reports

  • Allergen warnings, SPF accuracy (if applicable), and packaging compliance

4. Consumer Impact Scoring

  • If available, real-world testing by a consumer panel for satisfaction and adverse reactions

ICTA® Verified Badge Meaning

A product that receives the ICTA® Verified Badge is:

  • Free from banned/harmful ingredients

  • Scientifically backed for performance

  • Safe for regular consumer use

  • Globally compliant across major markets

What Disqualifies a Product?

  • Incomplete or unverifiable testing data

  • Use of banned or restricted ingredients above thresholds

  • Unsupported efficacy claims

  • Absence of dermatological safety testing

Scoring Breakdown

Evaluation CriteriaWeightKey Subcomponents
Formulation Purity40%Ingredient integrity
Free from banned/restricted substances
Sourcing transparency
Efficacy & Performance30%Claim substantiation via data
Ingredient-function alignment
Real-world effectiveness
Safety & Compliance30%Dermatological testing
Global regulatory compliance
Proper labeling & documentation