THE REFERENCE SHELF
Form & texture
Cream, gel or lotion: begin with the actual formula
Use a format name to organize questions, not to predict exactly how a product will feel or work for your skin.
What a texture claim can—and cannot—tell you
Words such as lightweight, rich, cooling or non-greasy describe a brand’s positioning unless supported by a specific test you can inspect.
Jar, tube or pump: a packaging decision without a fake hygiene score
Compare access, closure and portability using the product instructions. Packaging alone does not establish a measured contamination rate or clinical outcome.