Our Health Content Notice

A good share of what we publish touches on the body: skin routines, what to eat, how to start exercising, habits that affect how you look and feel. We enjoy writing about these subjects, and we take care over them. Even so, there are firm limits to what a website like ours can offer, and we would rather spell them out than leave you guessing.

General information only

Our health-related articles describe common situations and widely shared, general guidance. They are not medical, dietary, dermatological or fitness advice for you personally. We have not examined you, we do not know your history or medication, and an article cannot weigh up the things a professional would. Nothing on this site should be used to diagnose a condition, choose or change a treatment, or decide not to seek care.

Who we are, and who we are not

The site is written by a small team of writers using pen names. None of us is a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, dermatologist or certified trainer. We read reputable public sources carefully and try to explain them clearly, but that is not the same as professional training, and we will never present it as such.

Check with a professional first if…

• you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or asthma;
• you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding;
• you take regular prescription medicine and are considering a supplement, a new skin product or a change in diet;
• you have an injury, joint problems or have been inactive for a long time and want to start exercising;
• you have, or have had, a difficult relationship with food or body image;
• you are making decisions about a child's health.

Get help promptly if…

Please do not wait for an article to tell you what to do if you notice chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a severe allergic reaction, sudden changes in vision, fainting or any symptom that feels serious or is getting worse. Contact your doctor, an urgent care service or your local emergency number straight away.

Products and ingredients

When we mention a type of product, such as an eye cream ingredient or a protein powder, we do so in general terms. We do not sell products, and a mention is not a recommendation that it is right or safe for you. Always read labels, follow the manufacturer's directions and patch-test new skin products. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure how something might interact with what you already use.

Things change

Health guidance evolves. We review pages regularly, but an article may not reflect the very latest advice on the day you read it. If something looks outdated or wrong, please tell us through our corrections page.

For more on how we put articles together, see The Making of This Site. The wider rules for using the site are in our Terms of Use.