Beauty Science Laboratory exists because most beauty coverage in this market is written by, or paid for by, the companies whose products it describes. That arrangement is common and rarely disclosed with any clarity. We think New Zealand readers deserve something else: testing that starts from curiosity rather than a marketing brief.
Every product we cover is purchased anonymously at retail, using the magazine’s own funds, at the price an ordinary shopper would pay. We do not accept free samples, review units, or early access from manufacturers or distributors. We do not run advertorial content, and no payment of any kind — direct or in kind — determines whether a product is included, how it is described, or where it ranks against its peers.
Our test methods vary by category but generally combine laboratory-style assessment (texture, longevity, ingredient behaviour) with structured, blinded use over time by a panel of everyday testers. We report what we find, including when results are unremarkable or when a well-known product performs no better than a modest alternative.
Editorial Review
Before any test result or comparative finding is published, it is checked by an independent review committee made up of a dermatologist, a cosmetic scientist and a pharmacist. Their role is to assess whether our methodology is sound, whether our claims are proportionate to the evidence, and whether anything we have written could mislead a reasonable reader. The committee does not select products, does not write copy, and has no commercial relationship with any brand covered in these pages. It exists solely to hold our testing to a clinical and scientific standard, and its members are not identified individually in order to keep the focus on the work itself rather than on personal reputation.
Corrections and Suggestions
We get things wrong occasionally, and when we do, we would rather hear about it from readers than not. If you believe a claim in one of our reviews is inaccurate, if a product has been reformulated since we tested it, or if there is a category or comparison you think deserves attention, please get in touch through the contact page. Every message is read by a member of the editorial team, and substantiated corrections are actioned and noted transparently.