Standards
Editorial policy
Everything on Lumen Ritual is written by a named person, chosen on formulation rather than commission, and dated so you can see how current it is. This page sets out exactly how that works, so you can judge our recommendations on the process behind them.
Written by Maria Parrales, founder and editor · Last updated:
Independently researched and reviewed for accuracy. Read our editorial policy or how we research routines.
Who writes and reviews these pages
Every routine, guide, article and product review on this site is written by Maria Parrales, founder and editor of Lumen Ritual. There is no anonymous content team, no syndicated filler, and no AI-generated pages published without a human writing and checking them line by line.
We are not dermatologists and never present ourselves as clinicians. What we do is read full ingredient lists, follow the dermatology literature on each ingredient class, and translate it into routines a person can actually follow. Where the evidence is strong we say so; where it is thin or contested we say that too.
How products are selected
A product earns a slot on formulation first. We screen the full INCI list, the disclosed concentration of any active, the vehicle and texture, fragrance and known sensitizers, packaging stability for light-sensitive actives, and price per use.
For every step we name a best-overall pick, a budget pick, and alternates, so no single product is presented as the only answer. Products we would not use ourselves are not named, however high the commission would be.
How affiliate links fit in
Some retailer links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy through them. That commission never influences which product is recommended or where it ranks. Payout rate is not one of the selection criteria listed above, and several of our regular picks pay us nothing at all.
Brands cannot pay for placement, for a best-pick slot, or for a favourable write-up, and no brand sees a page before it is published.
Sources and evidence
Ingredient claims are grounded in peer-reviewed reviews and the consensus positions of dermatology bodies, not in brand marketing copy. Our ingredient glossary carries the evidence notes behind each active, including what is well established and what is still uncertain.
We do not publish invented statistics, invented testimonials, or before-and-after claims we cannot substantiate. If a number appears on this site, it comes from a source we can point to.
Updates and corrections
Core skin-type and concern guides are reviewed at least twice a year, and sooner when a product is reformulated or discontinued, when it goes out of stock long-term, or when new evidence changes a recommendation. Every page carries a visible last-updated date.
Corrections are made in place and the date is bumped, so you can always see how current a page is. If you spot an error, tell us and we will fix it.
Advertising and independence
Lumen Ritual is independent and self-funded. The site is paid for by affiliate links and advertising, both of which are disclosed clearly at the top of the page and in the footer of every page.
Advertising is kept away from the moment of recommendation: we do not stack display units inside a product list, and we do not accept advertising that could be mistaken for editorial content.
Where we stop and a professional starts
Everything here is general skincare information. It cannot diagnose a condition, and it is not a substitute for care from a dermatologist or physician. Persistent acne, suspected rosacea or eczema, any changing mole, and anything painful belong with a qualified professional.
Prescription treatments, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and paediatric skin all warrant medical guidance before you change anything on our advice.
Contact the editor
Questions about a recommendation, a correction to file, or a source you think we missed — email Lumenritualglow@gmail.com or use the contact page. Funding detail lives on the affiliate disclosure page, and the story behind the site is on about.
