The Skeptic's Manifesto
Why this site exists and who writes it.
Who Am I?
I'm a former cosmetic chemist who spent years formulating products for brands you've heard of. I've seen the inside of the industry — the marketing meetings, the cost spreadsheets, the gap between what goes on the label and what goes in the jar.
I don't use my real name. Not because I have anything to hide, but because this isn't about me. It's about the information. The beauty industry has a habit of attacking messengers rather than addressing messages, and anonymity lets me focus on substance.
Why This Site?
The skincare industry operates in a space between science and marketing where consumers are routinely misled. Not always through outright lies — more often through selective truth, misleading framing, and the exploitation of scientific-sounding language.
Most skincare content online is compromised. Influencers receive free products. Magazines depend on advertising revenue. "Expert" dermatologists consult for brands. Even seemingly independent review sites use affiliate links that incentivise positive coverage.
This site has no sponsors, no affiliate links, no products to sell, and no advertising. When I say a product category is largely unnecessary, I don't lose revenue. When I question a popular ingredient's efficacy, nobody pulls their advertising budget.
Independence isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the only thing that makes honest analysis possible.
What I Believe
Most people need fewer products than they think. A basic routine of cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, and one or two targeted treatments handles the vast majority of skincare concerns. Everything else is optimisation at the margins.
Price has a weak correlation with efficacy. Above a baseline quality threshold, expensive products rarely outperform affordable ones. The premium pays for packaging, marketing, and positioning — not better ingredients.
The industry profits from complexity. The more confused consumers are, the more products they buy. Simplifying your routine is almost always the right move, but it's not in brands' financial interest to tell you that.
Ingredients matter more than brands. Learn to read ingredient lists. Once you understand what actually works — and at what concentrations — brand narratives become transparently absurd.
Skepticism is not cynicism. Some products work. Some ingredients have strong evidence. Some innovations are genuine. Skepticism means demanding evidence before accepting claims — not refusing to believe anything.
What You Won't Find Here
- Product recommendations or "best of" lists
- Affiliate links or sponsored content
- Brand partnerships of any kind
- "Holy grail" product endorsements
- Clickbait or sensationalised headlines
What You Will Find
- Evidence-based analysis of skincare claims
- Investigations into industry practices
- Explanations of how marketing tricks work
- The science behind (and sometimes against) popular ingredients
- Honest assessments that may be uncomfortable
The Bottom Line
Your skin doesn't need most of what the beauty industry is selling. That's not a popular message, and it's not one you'll hear from anyone with a financial stake in the industry.
I have no financial stake. I just have the information, the background to understand it, and the independence to share it honestly.
Stay skeptical.