How The Cosmetics Cop Team Does Their Reviews
Rating a wide variety of cosmetic products is a rigorous, complex process. The standards my team and I apply make our reviews distinctly different from every cosmetic product review site, and it’s to your advantage! We have established criteria to help ensure you find the best products for your skin, regardless of preferences or budget. Here are the most important factors we consider before reviewing a product:
Skin-Care Products
- Given the ingredient list, and based on published research—not just on what the cosmetics company wants you to believe—can the product really do for you what it promises?
- How does the product differ from similar types of products, including those that cost less?
- If a special ingredient (or ingredients) are showcased, how much of it is actually in the product, and is there independent research verifying the claims for it?
- Does the product contain problematic fragrances (including volatile fragrance chemicals), plants, topical irritants, or other questionable ingredients that could cause problems for your skin?
- How farfetched are the product’s claims?
- Based on what’s known about the ingredients it contains, is the product safe? Are there risks such as allergic reactions, increased sun sensitivity, insufficient sun protection, or potentially toxic ingredients?
- Does the product have what it takes to become a sensible part of your skin-care routine, with the goal being to take the best possible care of your skin?
Makeup
Makeup products are evaluated more subjectively than skin-care products with regard to the following traits:
- Application
- Color selection
- Texture
- How they compare to similar products from myriad other lines
- Formulation is also a consideration for makeup products, such as foundations with sunscreen
- How accessible the products are in store, such as testers and sensible color organization
Throughout this site, my team and I make the final determination for each individual product rating based on specific criteria established for each product category. Each category has specific standards that the products must meet to garner a happy, unhappy, or neutral face.