Frequently asked
The questions people ask, answered honestly.
These are the questions skincare shoppers ask their dermatologists, post on Reddit, and search on Google.
Every answer here cites the same sources every investigation does — USPTO, PubMed, FDA, FTC.
How the methodology works
How does Pretty Skin Truth score skincare products?
Pretty Skin Truth scores every product on three pillars: Evidence (is the claim supported by peer-reviewed research?), Honesty (does the marketing match what's in the jar?), and Value (is the price justified by the formula?). Each pillar is scored 0-10 using rubric v1.1, with falsifiability conditions specifying what evidence would change the score. Citations come from USPTO patents, PubMed peer-reviewed studies, FDA OTC monographs, and FTC enforcement records.
Are the investigations written by AI?
Yes. Every investigation is drafted by Claude — Anthropic's AI — using public sources only (USPTO, PubMed, FDA, FTC, brand product pages). A human reviewer verifies every citation before publishing. This is disclosed openly because the methodology requires it: every record stores the model version and rubric version used, so any score can be reproduced or challenged.
How do I know the AI didn't make something up?
Every claim verdict cites a specific authoritative source — a USPTO patent number, a PubMed PMID, an FDA CFR section, or an FTC file number. Generic citations like "PubMed" or "FDA" are not acceptable. A human reviewer follows every citation link before publication. If a citation can't be verified, the investigation doesn't publish.
Why doesn't Pretty Skin Truth recommend specific products?
Because picking winners would replace the rubric with editorial preference. The platform shows scores, citations, ingredient lists, contraindications, and falsifiability conditions for each product. The recommendation is structural, not editorial — the user can always swap one product for another with similar scores.
Independence and trust
Is Pretty Skin Truth sponsored by skincare brands?
No. Pretty Skin Truth accepts no money from skincare brands, ever. No affiliate links, no sponsorships, no advertising. The platform's revenue model is independent of the brands it investigates, which is what makes the methodology credible.
Is Pretty Skin Truth a substitute for seeing a dermatologist?
No. Pretty Skin Truth investigates products. It doesn't diagnose skin conditions, prescribe treatments, or replace medical advice. The platform is designed to be the homework someone does before seeing their dermatologist or esthetician — so the consultation can focus on the skin itself.