Our “best of” guides recommend products we have not been paid to feature. This page explains exactly how the picks are made so you can decide how much weight to give them.
Step 1: define what the product has to do
Before looking at any listing, we write down what the product type is for, which features matter for safety and results, and what the relevant dermatology or regulatory guidance says. For an LED mask, for example, that means wavelengths with published evidence, eye protection, and clearance status; for an IPL device it means skin-tone safety ranges and built-in skin sensors.
Step 2: build a shortlist from real listings
We search current retailer listings for products that match the category exactly. Accessories, refills, near-identical colour or size variants, and listings with thin or unclear information are removed. We favour established brands and fuller-featured models, and we limit any one brand to two places in a list so the guide stays useful to readers with different budgets and needs.
Step 3: check the shortlist against the evidence
Each product’s listed features are compared with the guidance from step 1. Products that make claims the evidence does not support (for example, “permanent” results from a home device) are excluded, or their claims are not repeated.
Step 4: rank and explain
We order the final list by what each product offers, then explain in plain words why each one made the cut, who it suits, where it falls short, and who should skip it. Every guide also includes a buying guide, a how-to section, honest limits and a note on when to see a professional.
What we do not do
- We do not claim hands-on testing unless an article clearly says a product was used and describes how.
- We do not show prices, star ratings or review counts; they change constantly, and retailer terms restrict republishing them.
- We do not accept payment, free products in exchange for placement, or brand input into rankings.
How we earn
If you buy through a link on this site we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, mainly through the Amazon Associates programme. This is how the site stays free to read. Details are on our affiliate disclosure page.
Spotted a problem with a pick?
Products get reformulated, discontinued or recalled. If a recommendation looks out of date or wrong, tell us through the contact page and we will review it.