TheCheekyClean Standards
Our Research-Driven Methodology for Ingredient Transparency
For over a decade, I evaluated ingredients for some of the world's largest manufacturers. I saw what goes into the products we use daily—and what gets hidden from labels. TheCheekyClean Standards represent the evaluation process I wish existed when I was a consumer trying to make informed choices.
Why We Need Higher Standards
The wellness industry has an ingredient problem—and it's not what you think.
The issue isn't just that toxic ingredients exist. It's that consumers have no reliable way to evaluate them. Marketing has replaced transparency. Buzzwords like "clean," "natural," and "non-toxic" are legally meaningless.
The U.S. bans only 11 cosmetic ingredients while the EU restricts over 1,500.
The FDA doesn't require safety testing before products hit shelves. Even well-intentioned consumers struggle to decode labels filled with chemical names they can't pronounce, let alone research. And when they try, they're met with conflicting information, biased "studies" funded by manufacturers, and wellness influencers promoting products they don't understand.
I spent 14 years inside this system. I saw how cost efficiency trumps safety. How "trace amounts" of toxic ingredients accumulate in your body over decades. How loopholes in regulation allow harmful compounds to hide behind proprietary "fragrance" or "natural flavoring."
TheCheekyClean Standards exist to change this. We don't just avoid bad ingredients—we raise the bar for what "clean" truly means. We evaluate the entire lifecycle: sourcing ethics, manufacturing integrity, bioavailability, environmental impact, and long-term health alignment.
The Methodology
Four Pillars That Transform Chemistry Into Empowerment
Research
TheCheekyClean Methodology is my signature, research-driven approach to ingredient transparency and conscious consumerism. It bridges my 14-year background in the chemical industry with my passion for holistic, toxin-free living—translating complex chemistry into clarity for everyday consumers.
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1. What is it?
Identifying every ingredient in a product, from active to preservative, and understanding its chemical function. Going beyond marketing names to understand the actual chemical compound.2. Why is it used?
Determining whether the ingredient serves true performance, shelf stability, or simply cost efficiency. Not all ingredients serve you—many serve the manufacturer.3. What are the potential risks?
Evaluating environmental impact, human health concerns, sourcing ethics, and regulatory status across global standards (FDA vs. EU).
I cross-reference ingredient databases (PubChem, EWG, EU regulations), supplier data sheets, and peer-reviewed research to understand exactly what each compound is and how it behaves.
Educate
TheCheekyClean exists to democratize ingredient literacy. The research I do, the evaluations I perform, and the insights I gain are only valuable if they reach the people who need them.
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RAW the Podcast – Honest conversations that connect awareness to action; body, mind, and soul
TheCheekyClean Courses – Educational deep dives into ingredients, labels, and lifestyle detoxing (Coming 2025)
Social Media & Substack – Bite-sized breakdowns of product reviews, ingredient spotlights, and conscious swaps
Each platform transforms chemistry into empowerment—helping consumers make confident, informed choices for their bodies, homes, and planet.
Approve
A Cheeky Approved product earns that status through a sliding-scale evaluation that considers multiple dimensions of quality, safety, and integrity.
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Ingredient Safety: Free from known endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and synthetic fillers
Transparency: Full disclosure of ingredient lists and sourcing practices
Performance: Effectiveness without sacrificing health or integrity
Sustainability: Eco-responsible packaging and supply chain ethics
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If a cleaner, higher-quality ingredient alternative exists, that's the benchmark. Products that meet or exceed those standards earn the Cheeky Approved seal.
Empower
The natural evolution of this mission is Conscious Cart—a curated marketplace designed to take the guesswork out of clean living.
Conscious Cart is where Cheeky Approved meets convenient access: a platform that brings together vetted, trustworthy brands across supplements, personal care, and lifestyle goods that meet TheCheekyClean standard.
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Review full ingredient lists against our red flag database
Verify sourcing claims through third-party certifications
Evaluate manufacturing practices (GMP, NSF certifications)
Test products ourselves when applicable
Compare to alternatives to ensure it's the best option
Because when we vote with our dollars, we don't just buy products—we build the world we want to live in.
The Standards in Action
Real product ingredient evaluations using TheCheekyClean methodology
“Popular” Collagen Supplement
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Collagen Types I and III only (limited coverage)
Maltodextrin as filler
"Natural flavoring" (undisclosed)
Bovine source (origin not specified)
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Maltodextrin = cost-saving filler
Natural flavoring = masks poor quality
Limited types = cheaper to source
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Maltodextrin spikes blood sugar
Unknown sourcing = contamination risk
Missing cofactors = lower bioavailability
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🚩 NOT Cheeky Approved
TheCheekyClean Collagen
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Five collagen types (I, II, III, V, X)
Grass-fed & wild-caught sources
Zero fillers or additives
Added silica for synthesis support
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Multiple collagen types = comprehensive support
Clean sourcing = higher quality
Silica = enhances body's own collagen production
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Third-party tested for purity
Verified clean sourcing
NSF/GMP certified manufacturing
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🍑✔ Cheeky Approved!
“Clean Beauty” Moisturizer
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Contains phenoxyethanol (preservative)
Includes "fragrance" (undisclosed)
Lists "natural ingredients" (marketing)
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Phenoxyethanol = inexpensive preservative
Fragrance = sensory marketing appeal
"Natural" = buzzword for sales
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Phenoxyethanol may irritate skin and nervous system
Fragrance often contains phthalates (endocrine disruptors)
"Natural" is unregulated and meaningless
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🚩 NOT Cheeky Approved
Why Trust TheCheekyClean’s Standards?
14+ Years Inside the Chemical Industry
I didn't learn about ingredients from blog posts or wellness influencers. I learned by evaluating ingredient data sheets from global manufacturers, negotiating with suppliers across personal care, food, aerospace, and pharmaceutical industries, and seeing firsthand how cost-cutting affects quality.
Cross-Industry Expertise
My background spans industrial chemicals, personal care, nutrition, and household products. This broad perspective allows me to spot patterns and ingredients across categories that most people miss.
✔ 14+ years in chemical distribution and formulation
✔ Expertise across 100+ ingredient categories
✔ Certified Yoga Teacher (holistic wellness integration)
✔ Continuing education in functional medicine and nutrition
✔ No brand partnerships that compromise integrity
✔ Transparent about products by TheCheekyClean vs. partners
The goal isn't perfection—it's informed, intentional choice.
What the Cheeky Approved Seal Means
✔ Every ingredient has been evaluated through our three-step framework
✔ No harmful ingredients present (endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, synthetic fillers)
✔ Sourcing is transparent and ethical (verified through documentation and certifications)
✔ Manufacturing meets standards (GMP, NSF, or equivalent certifications)
✔ Bioavailability is optimized (active forms, proper dosing, synergistic formulation)
✔ Environmental impact is considered (sustainable packaging, ethical supply chains)
✔ The company's values align with conscious consumption principles
This seal is earned, not purchased. We don't accept payment for reviews or recommendations. Brands can't buy their way onto Conscious Cart.
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| Criteria | Industry | "Clean Beauty" | TheCheekyClean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banned Ingredients | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Ingredient Disclosure | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Third-Party Testing | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Sourcing Verification | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Bioavailability | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Environmental Impact | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
| Independent Review | 11 (FDA) | 50-100 | 1,500+ (EU) |
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
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