The "clean supplement" market has exploded, but not all additive-free claims are equal. Some additives are harmless manufacturing necessities. Others are genuinely worth avoiding. Here's how to tell the difference.
1What Counts as an Additive
Additives include anything beyond the active ingredient:
Flow agents: Help powder move through machines - Silicon dioxide - Magnesium stearate
Binders: Hold tablets together - Cellulose - Dicalcium phosphate
Fillers: Bulk up capsules - Rice flour - Maltodextrin
Preservatives: Extend shelf life - BHT - Sodium benzoate
Colors and flavors: Improve appearance/taste - Titanium dioxide - Artificial sweeteners
2Additives Worth Avoiding
Definitely skip: - Titanium dioxide (colorant with no benefit, some concern) - Hydrogenated oils (trans fats, no place in supplements) - Artificial colors (FD&C dyes, purely cosmetic) - Talc (contamination concerns)
Consider avoiding: - Maltodextrin (spikes blood sugar, filler) - Carrageenan (GI irritation in some people) - High doses of sorbitol (digestive upset)
Probably fine: - Silicon dioxide (inert, tiny amounts) - Cellulose (plant fiber) - Vegetable capsule (HPMC)
Pro Tips
- The dose matters. Tiny amounts of questionable additives are different from large amounts.
- Your sensitivity matters. What bothers one person is fine for another.
- Marketing matters. "Additive-free" products often just replaced one additive with another.
3How to Find Additive-Free Products
Capsules vs tablets: Capsules generally have fewer additives. Tablets need binders.
Powders: Often cleanest but may have flow agents.
Liquids: Can be very clean but check for preservatives and sweeteners.
What to look for: - Short "Other Ingredients" list (3-5 items max) - Recognizable ingredients - Specific "no [X]" claims rather than vague "clean" - Third-party testing (clean products, verified clean)
4The Marketing Problem
"Additive-free" and "clean label" are marketing terms, not regulated claims. Watch for:
Greenwashing: Natural-sounding names for the same ingredients. "Plant cellulose" is still cellulose.
Substitution: Removed one additive, added another. Check if the replacement is actually better.
Misleading claims: "No artificial additives" says nothing about natural additives.
Premium pricing: Some "clean" products charge 3x for minor differences.
The reality: A product with rice flour and silicon dioxide isn't meaningfully different from one with maltodextrin and magnesium stearate for most people.
5When Additives Actually Matter
Allergies/sensitivities: If you react to something, avoid it. Period.
Autoimmune conditions: Some people with IBD or similar conditions notice carrageenan or other additives.
High doses: If you take many supplements, additive exposure adds up.
Principle: Some people want to minimize any unnecessary ingredient. That's valid.
For most people: The active ingredient matters far more than trace amounts of manufacturing aids.
The Bottom Line
True additive-free supplements exist, but many "clean" products are more marketing than substance. Focus on avoiding the genuinely questionable additives (artificial colors, hydrogenated oils) rather than stressing over every filler. Your time is better spent ensuring you're taking effective doses of ingredients that actually work.