Methodology & independence
No brand can pay for a LuminaSkin tier, a review, or a faster audit. Every tier is earned on evidence that anyone can check.
How we grade
Every brand is assessed against four filters, then placed in a tier by how much of its story is independently verified.
- Animal testing and market reach (zero tolerance). Certified cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny, PETA or equivalent) and no sales into any market that requires animal testing of imported cosmetics, including mainland China shops. Failing this is automatic rejection.
- Greenwashing. Words like "clean", "natural" and "eco-friendly" count for nothing without independent third-party proof.
- Formulation integrity. We reward barrier, lipid and microbiome support and penalise aggressive stripping formulas.
- Packaging and circularity. Credit for refills, upcycled ingredients, recycled plastic, recyclable glass, FSC cartons and carbon-neutral shipping.
| Tier | What it takes |
|---|---|
| Gold | B Corp and/or strict organic certification (COSMOS Organic, Ecocert, Soil Association, NATRUE), exceptional environmental standards, ultra-pure formulas |
| Silver | Substantial verified eco-credentials (e.g. Plastic Neutral via rePurpose, CarbonFund, Climate Neutral Certified), refill systems, barrier-safe formulas |
| Bronze | Passes every ethical filter with sustainable packaging, but lacks refill networks or carbon/plastic-neutral certification |
| Rejected | Sells into mainland China, has no independent eco-certification, or relies on barrier-damaging formulas |
Where evidence is missing, we grade lower. We never assume a certification.
How we verify
- Screen. Our AI auditor reads the brand's public information and lists every claim it makes.
- Verify. A person checks each certification against the certifier's own public register, records the date checked, and links to it on the brand's page.
- Confirm availability. Hero products must be sold in the UK and priced in GBP.
- Grade. The tier is set from verified evidence only, and the reasons are published.
- Re-check. Every brand is re-verified at least every 12 months, or sooner if a certification lapses or credible concerns are raised.
Our independence
- Grading is free. Brands are assessed whether or not they know about us.
- Paid relationships (sponsorship, affiliate links, partnerships) are only offered to brands after they have been graded, and never change a grade. If a partner's evidence weakens, its tier drops.
- All paid content is labelled clearly as an ad or paid partnership.
- Affiliate commission, where we earn it, does not affect which products are recommended in your scan.
- ScopeLocal disclosure: LuminaSkin's founder also runs ScopeLocal, a UK sustainability and carbon reporting platform. Brands can choose to use ScopeLocal's services, but doing so has no effect on their tier and is never required. Brand services.
Challenges and corrections
Brands and readers can challenge a tier by sending evidence to audit@luminaskin.health. We aim to respond within 30 days. Corrections are made openly and noted on the brand's page with the date.