References & Sources

Our Commitment to Reliable Dermatology Information

At DermatologySense.com, our top priority is to provide readers with accurate, evidence-based, and medically trustworthy skincare information. Every article published on our site is supported by current dermatological research, peer-reviewed journals, and authoritative clinical guidelines.

Because skin health is a field that directly impacts your well-being, our editorial team follows strict sourcing and review standards. We never rely on anecdotal claims, unverified product marketing, or unscientific trends. Each piece of content is fact-checked by editors or reviewed by licensed dermatology professionals to ensure clinical integrity.


How We Select Our Sources

Our approach to medical sourcing follows the same standards used in academic and clinical environments. The sources we cite must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Peer-Reviewed Medical Journals
    Publications that present scientifically validated research reviewed by dermatology and medical peers. These include journals indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and other reputable databases.
  2. Government and Public Health Institutions
    Sources from national and international health agencies such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  3. Professional Dermatology Associations
    Guidelines and publications from recognized professional organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), and other regional boards.
  4. University and Teaching Hospital Websites
    Information from dermatology departments of accredited universities or teaching hospitals, such as Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  5. Dermatology Textbooks and Clinical Reference Works
    Trusted dermatology references used by clinicians and students, such as Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine and Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology.
  6. Clinical Trial Databases and Meta-Analyses
    Evidence from published meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and systematic reviews when discussing treatment efficacy or ingredient safety.

Why Reliable Sources Matter

Misinformation in skincare is widespread — from viral beauty trends to unproven “miracle” treatments. Relying on credible dermatological evidence ensures that you, as a reader, receive guidance grounded in scientific fact rather than marketing hype.

Accurate sourcing helps us:

  • Distinguish between cosmetic claims and clinical results
  • Present balanced views when evidence is mixed or emerging
  • Support safety-first recommendations for all skin types, especially for readers with conditions such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation
  • Stay aligned with medical ethics and the DermatologySense editorial policy

Our goal is to empower readers with information they can trust, use, and discuss confidently with their dermatologists or healthcare providers.


Our Research & Verification Process

Before an article is published, it goes through a structured research and verification process that includes:

  1. Initial Topic Review
    Each topic is selected based on relevance, user interest, and emerging dermatological evidence. We begin by compiling recent studies, reviews, and expert guidelines.
  2. Source Evaluation
    Every reference is assessed for publication date, author credibility, journal impact, and potential conflicts of interest. We prioritize studies within the last 5–7 years unless a foundational paper remains the authoritative reference.
  3. Fact-Checking
    Our editors cross-verify all medical claims, ingredient data, and treatment descriptions using primary sources rather than secondary summaries.
  4. Medical Review (if applicable)
    Articles containing diagnostic, treatment, or procedural information are reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist or another qualified healthcare professional.
  5. Citation and Documentation
    References are clearly cited in-text or listed at the end of each article, following a simplified medical citation style that readers can easily follow.
  6. Regular Updates
    All content is reviewed periodically to reflect the latest dermatology research and updated guidelines.

Types of References We Commonly Use

Below are examples of the types of references our editorial team regularly relies on when creating or updating articles. These represent the foundation of DermatologySense’s scientific credibility.

1. Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD)
  • The British Journal of Dermatology (BJD)
  • Dermatologic Surgery
  • JAMA Dermatology
  • Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
  • International Journal of Women’s Dermatology
  • Experimental Dermatology

These journals publish clinical trials, review articles, and updates on dermatological therapies and skincare science.

2. Professional Guidelines and Position Papers

  • American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) clinical guidelines
  • European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) consensus statements
  • British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) best practice recommendations
  • World Health Organization (WHO) skin disease management frameworks

These documents guide how dermatologists diagnose and treat skin conditions safely and effectively.

3. Authoritative Medical Databases

  • PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • UpToDate® (peer-reviewed clinical reference)
  • DermNet NZ (New Zealand Dermatological Society)

These databases provide summaries of research evidence and clinical trial data, which our writers and reviewers consult during article preparation.

4. Academic and Clinical Sources

  • Harvard Health Publishing
  • Mayo Clinic Dermatology
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Stanford Health Care
  • Mount Sinai Health System

These institutions maintain public dermatology resources written and reviewed by physicians and researchers.

5. Ingredient Safety and Cosmetic Science

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS)
  • Environmental Working Group (EWG) ingredient database
  • Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) data

Such databases help ensure that skincare ingredient discussions are accurate, regulatory-compliant, and safety-focused.


Transparency in Updates and Corrections

Science evolves, and so do dermatological recommendations. We believe in full transparency regarding any changes to our content.

When a significant update occurs—such as a new clinical trial result or updated guideline—we review and modify the affected content accordingly.
Each article includes:

  • The date it was last medically reviewed
  • The reviewer’s credentials (if applicable)
  • Notes on updates, such as “added new findings from a 2024 study in JAAD”

If you spot an error or outdated claim, we invite you to contact our editorial team at editor@dermatologysense.com so that it can be reviewed promptly.


How Readers Can Verify Our Sources

We encourage all readers to explore the references cited in our articles. If you wish to verify information or learn more about a specific study:

  1. Click on in-text links to PubMed or trusted sources.
  2. Visit the “References” section at the bottom of each post.
  3. Check the publication date and authorship for credibility.
  4. Cross-reference with your healthcare provider or dermatologist when applying advice to personal care routines.

This approach helps readers become informed participants in their own skin health decisions, not passive consumers of online information.


Our Ethical Standards for Citing Sources

We follow the principles of ethical citation and attribution, ensuring that credit is always given to original researchers and institutions.

  • We never misrepresent research outcomes.
  • We avoid cherry-picking studies that favor a particular brand or treatment.
  • Sponsored or affiliate content never influences what sources are cited.
  • We cite both supporting and contradictory evidence when relevant, giving readers a balanced understanding of the science.

Representative Source List

Below is a sample list of primary resources frequently used by our writers and reviewers:

  • American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Clinical Guidelines and Position Statements.
  • British Association of Dermatologists. Patient Information Leaflets and Guidelines.
  • World Health Organization. Skin NTDs and Public Health Reports.
  • NIH National Library of Medicine. PubMed Database.
  • Cochrane Collaboration. Systematic Reviews on Skin Disorders.
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cosmetic and Drug Safety Resources.
  • European Medicines Agency (EMA). Dermatology Product Evaluations.
  • Harvard Health Publishing. Skin Care and Aging Library.
  • Mayo Clinic. Dermatology and Cosmetic Procedures Section.
  • DermNet New Zealand. Clinical Dermatology Atlas.

This list is continually expanded as new research becomes available.


Conclusion: Trust Built on Transparency

At DermatologySense.com, credibility begins with transparency.
Our references are not hidden behind jargon or paywalls—they are public, traceable, and verifiable.
By holding ourselves to medical publishing standards, we ensure that every article you read here contributes to your understanding of skincare grounded in science, not speculation.

Our promise is simple:

Every skincare insight we publish is based on credible science, reviewed by experts, and updated as knowledge evolves.

That’s the DermatologySense difference — dermatology you can trust, backed by evidence you can verify.