THE RECORD

THE RECORD · READ BEFORE YOU BUY

Beauty is starting to sound a lot like medicine.

Clinical. Repair. Recovery. The vocabulary is convincing. But what does the evidence actually say—and which products deserve your money?

Explore The RecordBrowse the cases
Close-up of lips and hands framing the jaw
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The feature / Case 01

Lips became a beauty signal. What happened to protection?

Gloss, treatments, plumpers. An entire category built around how lips look. We examine the SPF claims, the evidence, and the products that make the cut.

  1. IThe ClaimHow lip products are sold, and what the selling leaves out.
  2. IIThe EvidenceDermatology guidance and published studies, cited.
  3. IIIWhat Made the CutFive SPF lip balms judged on their labels: who each suits, what to check.
See What Made the Cut
Regina Duke, founder of THE RECORD, seated outdoors in a linen dress
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Meet the Editor

Edited by Regina DukeEvery verdict is read off the label, dated, and never decided by commission. About THE RECORD →

The cases

Every concern has a sales pitch. Here is the file on each.

The claim, the evidence, and what makes the cut.

Also on the record: Body care. Starting from zero? Start here.

Coming investigations

  • Before You Buy It LED & Light Devices. “FDA-cleared” is doing a lot of work. Four devices, checked against the federal record.
  • The edit. What to keep, what to cut, and in what order. In preparation
  • What Made the Cut. A recurring verdict column, one category at a time. In preparation

The newsletter

New verdicts, changed labels, and the claims worth a second read. Sent only when something has earned your attention.