NeedSkincare is reader-supported. We earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through some of the links on this site. Those commissions never change a verdict, never decide who makes a list, and never cost you a penny extra.
The short version
- When you buy a product through one of our retailer links, the retailer pays us a small commission.
- You pay exactly the same price you would have anyway.
- Our picks are chosen before any retailer link is attached. We'll happily recommend the cheaper option when it wins.
- If we ever feature something because the brand paid us, we will say so clearly and label the post — that is separate from this affiliate disclosure.
Why this disclosure exists
Several laws around the world require sites like ours to make affiliate relationships clear:
- United States: the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's endorsement guidelines (16 C.F.R. Part 255) require any "material connection" between a publisher and a recommended product to be disclosed clearly and conspicuously.
- United Kingdom: the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) require affiliate links to be flagged so readers know they are commercial recommendations.
- Australia: the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces the same principle under the Australian Consumer Law — material commercial relationships must not be hidden from readers.
We'd disclose anyway, because not doing so would break the only thing that matters about reviews: trust. The regulations just make it official.
The affiliate programs we participate in
NeedSkincare participates in, or plans to participate in, the following affiliate programs. Where a product on this site has a buying-intent link, the link is most likely going to one of these:
- Amazon Associates — US (Amazon.com), UK (Amazon.co.uk), and Australia (Amazon.com.au). As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- ShareASale — including Paula's Choice, Dermstore, The Detox Market, 100% Pure, Kopari.
- Awin — including Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty.
- CJ (Commission Junction) — including Ulta, Clinique, Estée Lauder.
- Rakuten — including Sephora.
- iHerb.
Some product mentions on this site do not currently carry an affiliate link — they go to the brand's homepage so you can see the formulation. We add the affiliate link layer over time; the recommendation is identical either way.
How we keep this honest
- Picks first, links second. Every editorial decision — who wins a comparison, who makes the "best of" list, which moisturizer is the budget pick — is made before we look at which retailer pays the highest commission. We've turned down higher-paying programs that we couldn't stand behind.
- We tell you when the cheaper option wins. Plenty of our top picks are budget products with low commissions. We list them because they win, full stop.
- We don't hide which links pay us. If you're unsure whether a link is affiliated, look at the URL — affiliate links typically go to a retailer domain (amazon.com, sephora.com, paulaschoice.com, etc.) and include a tracking parameter. Direct brand-homepage links generally aren't affiliated.
- We're not doctors. Affiliate revenue doesn't make us qualified to give you medical advice. For medical-adjacent topics — pregnancy safety, cystic acne, rosacea, eczema, anything that hurts — we'll tell you to see a dermatologist. Read more in our about page.
What we never do
- We don't accept "pay to play" — money in exchange for a positive review or list placement.
- We don't take free product in exchange for guaranteed coverage. If a brand sends us something, our verdict is identical to what it would be if we'd bought it.
- We don't sell or share newsletter emails. See our privacy policy.
Questions or feedback
If you ever feel a recommendation doesn't pass the smell test, email hello@needskincare.com and tell us. We'd rather lose a commission than your trust.