Editorial Policy
Editorial Policy
Last updated: January 2025
At SmartChoice Hub, we take editorial integrity seriously. This page explains how we create content, how we choose which products to review and how we maintain independence from the brands we cover.
How We Research Products
Our reviews are based on publicly available information, including:
- Ingredient lists — We read and assess the full ingredient list (INCI) for every product we review.
- Brand claims — We examine what the brand says the product does and note any claims that lack supporting evidence.
- User reviews — We read user feedback across multiple retailers and platforms to identify common experiences and recurring issues.
- Published research — Where relevant, we reference published studies on key ingredients (such as retinol, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid) to provide context.
We do not conduct lab testing, clinical trials or controlled experiments. When we describe how a product works, we are summarising publicly available information — not making clinical claims.
How We Choose Products
We select products to review based on:
- Popularity and availability — Products that are widely available and frequently purchased are prioritised.
- Reader requests — We track product suggestions from readers and prioritise the most commonly requested items.
- Category coverage — We aim to cover a range of price points and product types within each skincare category.
We do not accept payment from brands to review their products. Brands may send product information for our editorial team to consider, but this does not guarantee a review and does not influence the outcome of any review we do publish.
Ratings and Recommendations
Our product ratings reflect the overall assessment of the SmartChoice Hub Editorial Team. Ratings consider factors such as ingredient quality, value for money, suitability for the target skin type and common user feedback.
Ratings are not influenced by affiliate commission rates or brand relationships. A product with a higher commission rate does not receive a higher rating.
Where we do not have sufficient verified information to responsibly assess a product, we clearly state this rather than assigning an arbitrary score. Products marked "Not yet rated" are awaiting full editorial review.
Corrections and Updates
Skincare formulations, prices and availability change over time. We review and update our content periodically to keep it accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, please let us know at hello@smartchoicehubs.com and we will investigate and correct it.
Editorial Independence
The SmartChoice Hub Editorial Team makes all editorial decisions independently. Our affiliate partnerships and advertising do not influence:
- Which products we choose to review
- How we rate or rank products
- What we say in our reviews
This independence is the foundation of reader trust, and we are committed to maintaining it.