What it looks at
- Sun protection — how often, how consistently, and through which seasons
- Cleansing and barrier care: what you wash with and what you put back
- Habits that irritate — picking, over-exfoliating, sleeping in makeup, friction
- What reaches the skin from the inside: sleep, tobacco, diet, stress
- Signs and follow-up: what is not settling, and whether you would spot a mole changing
A question from this assessment
How often do you apply sunscreen to your face?
Every question is answered on the same 1–10 scale. Questions where a high answer is unfavourable are reversed before scoring.
Who it is for
Anyone unsure whether their skin is dry or dehydrated, oily or over-cleansed, and anyone who keeps buying products without a clear picture of what their skin actually needs.
How the result is reported
Common questions
Will this tell me which products to buy?
No, and be sceptical of anything that claims it will from a questionnaire. It gives you a clearer description of how your skin behaves, which makes product advice easier to filter.
I have acne or rosacea. Is this useful?
As a habit check, yes. As a treatment guide, no — both respond to specific medical treatment, and a dermatologist will get you there far faster than a routine change.
Does it account for skin tone?
Only indirectly, through how your skin reacts to sun exposure. It is not a substitute for advice tailored to your skin tone.
Scientific basis
The questions in this assessment are adapted from the domains these validated instruments and guidelines cover.
- Randomised sunscreen trials (Nambour)
- AAD acne guideline
- AAD atopic dermatitis guideline
- ABCDE mole rule
- Fitzpatrick sun-reactive skin types
Sources
- Hughes MC et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin ageing: a randomised trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013PMID 23732711
- Green AC et al. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use. J Clin Oncol. 2011PMID 21135266
- Zaenglein AL et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016PMID 26897386
- Eichenfield LF et al. Guidelines of care for atopic dermatitis: management and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014PMID 24813302
- Morita A. Tobacco smoke causes premature skin ageing. J Dermatol Sci. 2007PMID 17951030
- Oyetakin-White P et al. Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015PMID 25266053
- Juhl CR et al. Dairy intake and acne vulgaris: meta-analysis of 78,529 people. Nutrients. 2018PMID 30096883
This is an educational self-assessment, not a medical test. It cannot diagnose anything. Read the medical disclaimer before you start.