Editorial policy

What we stand for

• Accuracy over speed. We would rather publish later than publish something we haven’t checked.
• Evidence, stated honestly. We say how strong the evidence is, not just what it suggests.
• Independence. Brands and retailers don’t decide what we write or recommend.
• Transparency. You can see who is responsible for a piece, when it changed, what it relies on and how affiliate links are handled.

How we research

We start from the best available evidence and work outwards. In rough order of weight, we rely on:

1. systematic reviews and meta-analyses of human studies;
2. individual clinical trials in people;
3. guidance from health authorities and public bodies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the UK National Health Service (NHS) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA);
4. product labels and manufacturers’ own documentation, for facts about a specific product’s composition and characteristics, never as evidence that it works.

We review the sources we cite and link to them so readers can check them, and we say when a claim rests only on animal studies, laboratory experiments, small trials or research funded by the industry. Sources are listed at the end of every article. Before publication, articles are checked against their cited sources and edited for clarity and accuracy.

How we write about health

Nourlume is a source of information, not of medical advice. We don’t diagnose, recommend treatments or tell individual readers what to take. In practice that means:

• We don’t claim that a supplement or cosmetic cures, treats or prevents a disease, or that it is guaranteed to help.
• We never suggest replacing medicines or medical treatment with supplements.
• When we discuss amounts, we report what product labels state, what studies used or what health authorities publish. We don’t present a dose as a recommendation for you.
• Our wording reflects the strength of the evidence: “studies suggest” and “the evidence is mixed” mean exactly that.
• We mention known side effects, upper intake limits and interactions with medicines where they are relevant.
• Where a decision depends on someone’s individual health, we say that it is one to make with a qualified healthcare professional.

How we choose and compare products

Our buying guides currently explain how to compare products rather than naming winners. Each one sets out the criteria for that type of product, which usually include:

• Amount and form: how much of the active ingredient a serving provides, in which form, compared with what has been studied or what health authorities publish.
• Label transparency: whether you can see how much of each ingredient you get.
• Independent quality testing: whether a third party has tested the product, and what that testing covers.
• Price per serving, or per unit of the active ingredient, not just price per pack.
• Other ingredients and suitability: allergens, additives, fragrance, and whether a product suits specific diets.

When a guide names specific products, it explains how they were chosen and gives each one’s strengths and limitations. It also says whether we tested the product ourselves; if we haven’t, the assessment rests on the label, independent test results and the research, and the guide says so.

Independence from brands

• Brands and retailers cannot pay to be included in an article or to be ranked higher.
• Brands don’t see or approve articles before publication.
• If a brand sends us a product for free, the article that mentions it says so. Sending a product doesn’t guarantee coverage.
• When a product we earn nothing from is the better choice, we say so.

How affiliate links work on Nourlume is explained in our affiliate disclosure.

Bylines and expert review

Every piece shows who is responsible for it. Articles credited to Nourlume rather than to a named writer are the responsibility of the publication as a whole. At the moment, all our articles carry the Nourlume byline.

When a qualified expert, such as a dietitian, pharmacist or dermatologist, reviews an article, we name them, their qualifications and the date of the review on the page. If an article doesn’t show a reviewer, it hasn’t had an expert review.

Updates and corrections

Research, guidance and product labels change. We update an article when we learn that something in it is out of date, and the “Updated” date changes only when we make a meaningful change to its content, not for typo fixes or design changes.

If we get something wrong, we correct it and, where the error was significant, add a note to the article explaining what changed. To report a mistake, email hello@nourlume.com with the page address and what you think is wrong.

Our use of AI tools

We may use AI tools to assist with parts of the editorial workflow, such as organising research notes, outlining or proofreading. Editorial responsibility remains with Nourlume. We do not publish unreviewed AI output.