How SkinLayer builds reviewed skincare answers
SkinLayer is an evidence-organizing tool, not a medical practice. We take public dermatology guidance, official labels, and peer-reviewed sources and turn them into simpler ingredient answers that everyday users can actually use.
What SkinLayer is
A tool that organizes public skincare evidence into clearer pair answers, timing suggestions, and source-backed follow-up reading.
What SkinLayer is not
We are not doctors, we do not diagnose skin conditions, and we do not replace a dermatologist, pharmacist, or qualified clinician.
Our Primary Sources
Dermatology Associations
Guidance directly from organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
FDA & DailyMed
Official drug labeling and contraindications for active ingredients like tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide.
Clinical References
Expert-reviewed resources like DermNet NZ, specifically for pregnancy safety and sensitive skin.
How reviewed rules are published
- 1. We require a public source: a reviewed rule must point to a public authority, official label, or expert-reviewed clinical reference that users can inspect for themselves.
- 2. We extract a usable claim: we turn source language into a narrow, practical statement such as irritation risk, timing separation, pregnancy warning, or barrier support.
- 3. We choose the cautious interpretation: if sources conflict, are incomplete, or only support partial use, we default to a safer answer instead of forcing a strong recommendation.
- 4. We separate verdict from commerce: product suggestions never decide the rule. The answer comes from the evidence layer first, and optional product picks are shown later as a separate step.
What happens when evidence is weak
We do not pretend uncertainty is confidence. If SkinLayer does not have enough public evidence to support a clean reviewed answer, we do not publish a strong SEO recommendation for that pair.
In those cases, users may still see a tool-level caution response inside the checker, but that is intentionally different from a fully reviewed pair page. No source, no strong claim.
How to read a SkinLayer answer
Safe means the ingredients are generally compatible in the same overall routine, not that every formula or skin type will react the same way.
Caution means the pairing may be workable, but timing, frequency, concentration, or skin condition matters.
Conflict means the same-routine pairing is more likely to cause instability, irritation, or other practical problems, so we advise separating it or avoiding it.
When to talk to a clinician
Please speak to a qualified dermatologist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, using prescription retinoids, treating melasma or rosacea, or dealing with a damaged skin barrier.
SkinLayer is designed to make public information easier to understand. It is not designed to diagnose a rash, replace a prescription plan, or override professional care.