How to know if your vitamins are third-party tested (and why it matters)
By Ulta Beauty Advisors · Published August 2026
All products featured are available at Ulta Beauty. Ulta Beauty Advisors select products independently.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. Product availability and prices are subject to change.
The supplement industry is largely self-regulated. Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements in the United States do not require FDA approval before they are sold. A manufacturer can put a product on the market with a label claiming a specific ingredient at a specific dose, and no external body is required to confirm that claim is accurate before the product reaches the shelf.
Third-party testing exists to change that. An independent organization tests a product, verifies what is in it, checks that the dose matches the label, and confirms the absence of contaminants. If a product passes, it earns a certification seal. That seal is what you are looking for when you shop for supplements.
This guide explains the four major certifications, what each one actually tests for, and showcases products available at Ulta Beauty that carry a verified seal.
The four major supplement certifications
NSF International
NSF International is one of the oldest and most comprehensive third-party certification programs for dietary supplements. It operates two relevant certification tracks.
NSF Certified for Sport is a well-regarded certification for quality and contamination. Products must be tested for over 270 substances banned by major sports organizations including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), NCAA, and MLB. The certification also verifies that what is on the label is in the product, that the dose is accurate, and that the product is free from harmful contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, and microbiological impurities. Batch testing is required, meaning individual production runs are tested rather than a one-time product approval. NSF Certified for Sport is widely recognized by sports organizations and carried by products including AG1 and Lemme, both available at Ulta Beauty.
NSF GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) is a facility-level certification. Rather than testing individual products, it certifies that the manufacturing facility meets the FDA's federal standards for cleanliness, process control, and record-keeping. A product from an NSF GMP-certified facility was made in a controlled environment, but its specific ingredient content and dose have not necessarily been independently verified unless the product also carries NSF Certified for Sport or another product-level seal. Look for both when possible.
NSF Certified Gluten Free is a product-level certification specifically for gluten content, with independent verification that a product contains less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This is narrower in scope than NSF Certified for Sport but meaningful for people managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who want independent confirmation rather than a manufacturer's self-declaration.
USP (United States Pharmacopeia)
USP is a nonprofit organization that sets official standards for medicines, supplements, and food ingredients used in the United States. The USP Verified mark indicates that a product has been tested and verified for four things: that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the label, that it contains the declared amount of those ingredients, that it does not contain harmful levels of contaminants, and that it will properly break down in the body for absorption (dissolution testing). USP verification does not test for sports-banned substances, so it is less relevant for athletes but a strong general quality indicator for everyday supplement shoppers. Ritual is one of the supplement brands that works with USP on its formulations.
Informed Sport
Informed Sport is a certification program run by LGC, a UK-based testing organization. Like NSF Certified for Sport, it focuses on testing for substances banned in competitive sports and incorporates ongoing testing of production batches as a core part of its program. This makes it one of the more rigorous options for athletes and active individuals. Informed Sport is particularly common among sports nutrition and performance supplement brands. It is less prevalent than NSF across general wellness categories but is worth looking for if athletic performance or competition compliance is a factor.
ConsumerLab
ConsumerLab is a subscription-based independent testing organization that purchases supplements directly from retail shelves and tests them without the manufacturer's knowledge or involvement. Where NSF, USP, and Informed Sport work with brands proactively, ConsumerLab tests whatever is on the market and publishes the results, including failures. A product that has been tested and approved by ConsumerLab carries a CL Seal of Approval and is listed in ConsumerLab's database. Because ConsumerLab tests are not brand-sponsored, they can provide a different kind of credibility, though their testing scope varies by product category and the seal is less commonly seen on retail packaging.
What to look for on a supplement label
When you pick up a supplement at Ulta Beauty, the certification seals, if present, are usually on the front or back panel. Here is a quick reference for what each one confirms.
NSF Certified for Sport: Confirms contamination testing against 270+ banned substances, label accuracy, and ongoing batch-level testing. Verify current certified products at info.nsf.org/Certified/consumer.
NSF GMP: Confirms the manufacturing facility meets federal Good Manufacturing Practice standards. A useful quality baseline but not a substitute for product-level verification.
NSF Certified Gluten Free: Confirms the product contains less than 10 ppm of gluten, independently verified. Meaningful for people managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
USP Verified: Confirms ingredient identity, potency, purity, and dissolution. Verify current certified products at quality-supplements.usp.org.
Informed Sport: Confirms testing for sports-banned substances with ongoing batch-level testing as part of the program. Verify current certified products at informed.sport/certified-products.
Non-GMO Project Verified: Confirms that ingredients are sourced from non-genetically modified crops, independently verified. This is not a supplement quality or contamination certification, but it does indicate independent ingredient verification for a specific attribute.
A product can carry more than one seal. Garden of Life's Organics Women's Once Daily, available at Ulta Beauty, carries both NSF Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified, for example.
Certified supplements you can shop at Ulta Beauty
Not every supplement at Ulta carries a third-party certification seal, and not every uncertified product is low quality. The four products below have been selected because each carries a recognized, independently verified certification.
Multivitamin + Probiotics + Superfoods Powder | $29.99
Shop AG1 Daily Foundational Multivitamin Greens Powder at Ulta →
AG1 carries NSF Certified for Sport, the most rigorous third-party certification available for consumer supplements. To earn it, a product must be tested for over 270 substances banned by major sports organizations, pass independent verification that the label ingredients are present at the stated doses, and be confirmed free from contaminants including heavy metals and pesticides. Individual production batches are tested, not just the formula once at certification. For a supplement with as many ingredients as AG1, vitamins and minerals, pre- and probiotics, superfoods, functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and antioxidants in a single serving, that level of batch-level verification is meaningful.
The product itself is designed to replace a stack of separate supplements with one once-daily scoop mixed into water. It is vegan, free from gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, and artificial sweeteners, and uses sustainable packaging. The flavor is described as subtly sweet with pineapple and vanilla notes.
Certification: NSF Certified for Sport
Key specs: Vitamins and Minerals · Pre- and Probiotics · Superfoods and Functional Mushrooms · Adaptogens · Antioxidants · Digestive Support · Vegan · Gluten-Free · No Artificial Sweeteners · Sustainable Packaging
Creatine Monohydrate + AstraGin Gummies | $30.00
Shop Lemme Creatine Body Toning Gummies at Ulta →
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most researched performance supplements available, with an extensive published literature on its role in muscle strength, lean body mass, and recovery when combined with resistance training. Lemme's Creatine Gummies deliver 5g of creatine monohydrate per serving, the dose used in the majority of published research, in a gummy format alongside AstraGin, a patented ginseng complex included to support nutrient absorption.
The NSF Certified for Sport seal confirms that the product has been tested for banned substances, that the 5g creatine dose on the label is accurate and independently verified, and that the formula is free from harmful contaminants. For a product in a category where label accuracy has historically been inconsistent, the NSF seal provides meaningful confirmation. Gluten-free, gelatin-free, vegetarian, and free from artificial sweeteners and synthetic colors. Serving is four gummies daily. Sustainable packaging.
Certification: NSF Certified for Sport
Key specs: 5g Creatine Monohydrate per Serving · AstraGin Ginseng Complex · Gluten-Free · Gelatin-Free · Vegetarian · No Artificial Sweeteners · No Synthetic Colors · Sustainable Packaging
Ulta Beauty Advisor Tip: Creatine monohydrate works best with consistent daily use rather than loading or cycling. Four gummies daily at any consistent time is the right approach.
Certified Organic Women's Multivitamin | $27.99
Shop Garden of Life Organics Women's Once Daily at Ulta →
Garden of Life's Organics Women's Once Daily carries three independently verified certifications: USDA Certified Organic, confirming that over 30 of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the formula meet federal organic standards; NSF Certified Gluten Free, confirming the product contains less than 10 ppm of gluten as independently tested; and Non-GMO Project Verified, confirming the ingredients are sourced from non-genetically modified crops. No single one of these is a comprehensive supplement quality certification in the way NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified are, but three independent verification marks on a single product indicates more rigorous sourcing and testing processes than a brand's self-declared claims alone.
The formula delivers a full women's multivitamin from whole food sources: organic greens, fruits, and vegetables rather than synthetic isolates, with methylcobalamin B12 sourced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, vegan D3 from lichen, and 2mg of iron. Benefits are oriented toward energy, metabolism, and skin and nail health. One tablet daily with food. 30-count bottle.
Certifications: USDA Certified Organic · NSF Certified Gluten Free · Non-GMO Project Verified
Key specs: 30+ Certified Organic Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs · Methylcobalamin B12 · Vegan D3 from Lichen · 2mg Iron · Full Women's Multivitamin
Ulta Beauty Advisor's Pick: "This is the one I recommend for anyone who wants their multivitamin ingredients to come from whole food sources rather than synthetic forms.”
9-Nutrient Women's Multivitamin | $38.99
Shop Ritual Multivitamin for Women 18+ at Ulta →
Ritual's Multivitamin for Women 18+ carries USP Verified, the certification issued by the United States Pharmacopeia after independent testing confirms a supplement contains its labeled ingredients at the stated amounts, dissolves properly for absorption, and is free from harmful contaminant levels. Ritual notes that USP Verified is held by less than 1% of multivitamins on the market. For a category where label accuracy is not guaranteed, the USP seal provides the kind of independent potency and dissolution verification that most multivitamins do not carry. It is also Non-GMO Project Verified.
The formula takes a different approach from most multivitamins: nine key nutrients at research-backed doses rather than a long ingredient list at low amounts. Key ingredients include Vitamin D3 from sustainably-sourced lichen, Omega-3 DHA from microalgae, biologically active Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin), chelated iron, Folate, Vitamin K2, Boron, Vitamin E, and Magnesium. Fat-soluble and water-soluble nutrients are kept separated using patented beadlet-in-oil technology inside a delayed-release, mint-scented capsule.
Certifications: USP Verified · Non-GMO Project Verified
Key specs: 9 Key Nutrients · Methylcobalamin B12 · Chelated Iron · Vitamin D3 from Lichen · Omega-3 DHA from Microalgae · Vitamin K2 · Beadlet-in-Oil Technology · Delayed-Release Capsule · Vegan · Gluten-Free · Sugar-Free
Frequently asked questions about third-party tested supplements
What does third-party tested mean for supplements?
Third-party tested supplements are evaluated by an independent organization to help verify that the ingredients listed on the label match what's in the product. Testing may also screen for contaminants and confirm quality standards, depending on the certification.
Why is third-party testing important?
Third-party testing can provide additional confidence that a supplement meets certain quality and purity standards. Since dietary supplements aren't approved by the FDA before they're sold, independent testing offers an extra layer of verification for consumers.
How can you tell if a supplement is third-party tested?
Look for seals or certifications from independent testing organizations on the product packaging or product page. Some brands also provide certificates of analysis (COAs) or explain their testing process on their website.
Are third-party tested supplements safer?
Third-party testing can help verify a supplement's identity, purity, and potency, but it doesn't guarantee that a product is safe or effective for everyone. Always follow the recommended dosage and consult your healthcare provider if you have questions about taking supplements.
What ingredients are commonly third-party tested?
Many vitamins, minerals, probiotics, collagen powders, protein powders, greens powders, and herbal supplements undergo third-party testing. The specific testing standards vary by brand and certifying organization.
Do all supplements need to be third-party tested?
Third-party testing isn't required by law, but many reputable supplement brands choose to have their products independently tested to demonstrate quality and transparency.
Related Content: Best Red Light Therapy Masks & Devices, Best Sleep Supplements, Stress Relief Products, Best Feminine Care Products, Nighttime Skin Care Routine, Everything Shower, Best Supplements for Women, Fragrance-Free Vs Hypoallergenic Skin Care, How Long Does It Take Skin Care to Work, How to Use Essential Oils
Explore more Wellness Buying Guides and Beauty Education Articles