Editorial standards

Editorial integrity

Coverage decisions are editorial. We add products and comparisons because they are commonly searched, widely available, or useful next to alternatives, not because a brand or retailer pays for placement.

Some outbound retailer links may be affiliate links. That helps fund the site but never changes what we write or which options we include. See our affiliate disclosure.

Reviews and tester results on AcneSpot are editorial or structured panel notes, not open public star ratings. We do not sell positive coverage.

How we research

• Product labels and INCI

  Key actives, concentrations where stated on pack, and full ingredient lists are taken from official product information and cross-checked against multiple sources where possible.

• Published guidance

  Ingredient and concern pages summarise widely accepted skincare science in plain English. We link to comparisons and guides rather than making treatment claims.

• Country context

  Availability, pharmacy vs cosmetic status, and typical retail channels differ by country. We show what applies where you are, and flag when data is still being confirmed.

• Ongoing checks

  Retailer URLs are validated for domain match and, where marked confirmed, checked live. Packshots, prices and stock change. Pages show when information was last updated.

We summarise evidence in accessible language. That is not the same as personal medical advice. Ingredients with pharmacy or prescription status are labelled as such; always read the pack and ask a professional if you are unsure.

Listing accuracy

Product pages show a data status so you know how far we have verified a country row:

Confirmed

Product page verified on the correct retailer, with pricing or availability we believe is accurate at last check.

Unconfirmed

Useful search or store links, or data we have not yet fully verified. Still worth comparing, but double-check before you buy.

Draft

Early listing. Missing detail or awaiting review. We do not promote draft rows as fully researched.

Retailer names always match the URL domain. You should not see “Amazon” on a link that goes to a brand website. Search links are labelled as search, not product pages. We run automated checks on slug/domain match and live URL health as the catalogue grows.

Prices and stock change quickly. Even confirmed rows are a guide. Always confirm on the retailer site before you buy.

Who works on AcneSpot

AcneSpot is built and maintained by a small editorial and product team focused on structured acne content, not a large newsroom and not anonymous aggregators. We combine skincare research, user-experience design, and catalogue tooling so pages stay consistent as the site grows.

We are not a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. Where content touches on prescription treatments or persistent acne, we point you toward professional routes and providers in your country.

We are actively expanding expert review of key guides and comparison pages. If you are a qualified pharmacist, dermatology nurse or dermatologist interested in reviewing content, please get in touch.

Corrections and updates

Found a broken retailer link, wrong ingredient, or outdated availability? Email us via the contact form. We prioritise fixes that could mislead someone into buying the wrong product or visiting the wrong store.

Product pages show a “Last checked” date when we have refreshed availability or links. Guides and comparisons are updated when formulations or market availability change materially.