Independent product
The Kindest Index: transparency in cosmetics
The Kindest Index helps people understand what they buy: an index of cosmetics and brands that makes the evidence behind cruelty-free and vegan information accessible. I handled design and development.
The problem
People looking for cruelty-free or vegan cosmetics need to navigate certifications, brand statements and information spread across different sources.
Assessing that information requires knowing its source, what it covers and when it was checked, alongside any uncertainties or conflicting evidence.
The solution and my contribution
- Organisation of the experience around products, brands and sources.
- Interface design and development for searching by name, brand or barcode and exploring categories.
- Presentation of cruelty-free and vegan assessments, distinguishing certifications, statements, missing information and conflicting sources.
- Product, brand and methodology pages that make information and assessment criteria accessible.
The approach
The experience starts with search and supports reviewing evidence: source, scope and date help explain what an assessment means.
The methodology makes information states and uncertainties explicit. Independent certifications and manufacturer statements are presented with their respective context.
The concrete result
The Kindest Index is live and open to explore: cosmetics and brand search, categories, product pages and a public methodology for understanding cruelty-free and vegan information.
Visit The Kindest Index (opens in a new tab)