Home / Methodology
How We Review Supplements
Every review on Limitless Labs starts with a structured score, not an opinion. Here is exactly how we build that score — and why each dimension matters.
227
Products scored
107
Ingredients analysed
65
Lab tests tracked
50
Products lab-verified
The Score
Every product is scored out of 10 across four dimensions. Formula and Dosing carry more weight because a supplement with the wrong formula or inadequate doses simply does not work, regardless of price or label honesty.
Formula
30% of scoreDoes the formula actually work?
We examine every ingredient on the label. Are the right actives present for the product's claimed purpose? Does the combination make sense scientifically, or are label-dressing ingredients padding out a weak core? A pre-workout that omits clinically dosed citrulline, or a protein that adds non-protein amino acids to inflate the label (amino spiking), scores low here.
Dosing
30% of scoreAre doses clinically meaningful?
This is the single most important dimension and is why it shares the highest weight with Formula. Having the right ingredient at the wrong dose is as useless as not having it at all. We compare each key ingredient's dose against published clinical research — typically the dose used in randomised controlled trials that demonstrated the effect. Sub-therapeutic doses get fractional scores.
Value
20% of scoreIs the cost justified?
We calculate cost per serving using the MRP listed on Amazon.in. This is then benchmarked against other products in the same category with similar formula quality. A product that delivers equivalent doses to a competitor at 40% lower cost earns a high Value score. Premium packaging and marketing spend do not add to value — only active ingredient delivery per rupee does.
Transparency
20% of scoreIs everything disclosed?
We penalise incomplete labelling. Proprietary blends that hide individual ingredient doses score low. Products that list vague ingredient categories ("herbal blend") without naming the extract or standardisation lose points. Third-party testing certifications and Trustified/FSSAI verification add to the score. A product cannot be fully trusted if its formula cannot be fully read.
Ingredient Analysis
Our scoring is only as reliable as our ingredient benchmarks. Here is how we build and maintain them.
Evidence hierarchy
We prioritise dose information from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) over observational studies or manufacturer-supplied data. Where a systematic review or meta-analysis exists, we use the dose range that produced consistent effects across trials.
India-specific context
Most clinical research is conducted on Western populations. Where Indian-population data exists (e.g. vitamin D deficiency rates, ashwagandha use in Indian clinical settings), we give it primary weight. Dose adjustments for body weight differences are applied where relevant.
Dose thresholds
For each ingredient we define three dose bands: therapeutic (≥ minimum effective dose in RCTs), sub-therapeutic (present but below effective dose), and negligible (dose so low it has no expected physiological effect). Dosing scores are proportional within these bands.
Ingredient library
We maintain a library of 107 published ingredient profiles, each with mechanism of action, clinical dose range, evidence rating, and who-should-avoid guidance. The library is updated when significant new research is published.
The Review Process
From product discovery to published review — every step is systematic and traceable.
Data collection
We source product data from Amazon.in listings — ingredients, label photos, pricing, and serving information. Each product's full ingredient panel is recorded with quantities.
Ingredient benchmarking
Every active ingredient is cross-referenced against our ingredients library, which maps each compound to its clinically studied dose range, mechanism of action, and evidence rating from published research.
Sub-score calculation
Each of the four dimensions (Formula, Dosing, Value, Transparency) is scored 0–10. The weighted average produces the overall score: Formula × 0.30 + Dosing × 0.30 + Value × 0.20 + Transparency × 0.20.
Verdict assignment
Scores map to verdicts: Highly Recommended (8.5+), Recommended (7–8.4), Average (5–6.9), Not Recommended (<5). Verdicts are not editable without changing the underlying score inputs.
Review writing
Review text is generated from the structured score data and ingredient analysis. Every claim in a review is traceable to a specific score input — we do not add marketing language or positive qualifiers not supported by the scores.
Publication and updates
Reviews are published when the product is available on Amazon.in and has a verified price. Reviews are re-evaluated when the formula changes, the price changes by more than 20%, or new clinical evidence significantly changes an ingredient's evidence rating.
Editorial Policy
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to appear in rankings, receive a higher score, or have negative findings removed. Rankings are generated entirely from score data. There is no "sponsored" or "featured" slot. A brand that scores 6.2 appears where a 6.2 appears — regardless of their marketing budget or outreach.
Smart Caffeine is permanently excluded
The founder of Limitless Labs is also the founder of Smart Caffeine, a supplement brand. To prevent any conflict of interest, Smart Caffeine products are permanently excluded from all reviews, rankings, and comparisons on this platform. This exclusion is enforced at the database level and cannot be overridden by any editorial decision.
Affiliate link disclosure
Amazon links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This commission does not influence scores, rankings, or review content. A product that scores 5/10 links to Amazon — and earns a commission — exactly like a product that scores 9/10. Score integrity is independent of affiliate revenue.
Review updates
Reviews are not static. Scores are updated when: (a) a product's formula changes, (b) its price changes by more than 20%, or (c) new clinical evidence materially changes an ingredient's evidence profile. All reviews display their last-updated date. If you spot an outdated formula, email us and we will re-evaluate within 30 days.
See the scores in action
Browse 227 independently scored supplements across every major category.