3 ms·

Has there been a randomized controlled trial showing that this works and improves treatment outcomes? That would seem to be important for a product that tries

Has there been a randomized controlled trial showing that this works and improves treatment outcomes? That would seem to be important for a product that tries to help people treat a medical condition.

KenShang 4y ago
This is a good point. We do our best to measure the quality of predictions. But usually, we don't know who our users are. It is anonymous. We compare users' ratings (when they rate) with our prediction and ask people we know personally to check if it's accurate. And it's not a treatment; it's more about hygiene. Teenagers don't know much about acne and how to manage it (frankly speaking, the same is valid for adults). And skincare is about marketing. Teens use popular products, which could be the wrong choice or something not needed at all. In case of severe acne, it's definitely necessary to see a doctor.
- jasonhansel 4y ago
  The text of your website makes it pretty clear that you are promising to help people treat (or "manage") acne; if it didn't help with that, I wouldn't see the purpose of the product. Acne, even if not "severe," is a medical condition. Treatments for medical conditions should be (and may be legally required to be) evaluated through professionally-conducted randomized clinical trials to prove that they are efficacious.
  - KenShang 4y ago
    I don't want to argue about medical conditions, but clinical trials are unnecessary in this case. More than 20,000 skincare brands claim to help with acne, aging, and other skin concerns. But I've never about even one conducted double blind randomized controlled trial. And I agree with you, some kind of control is needed. That is why I said skincare is about marketing. About helping, it helps the vast majority, except in severe cases, and the result is a reduction in pimples on the face. It is the only thing that teens care about. You should follow simple rules and pick the right products. I think the accuracy of our recommendations is relatively high. I don't have big numbers to brag about. But over time, I will. Now the primary source of information is TikTok. I should consider rewriting the message, though. Thank you.
    - jasonhansel 4y ago
      > But I've never about even one conducted double blind randomized controlled trial. Their active ingredients (e.g. salicylic acid, benozyl peroxide) have received FDA approval (in various forms); it would be illegal to market them as acne treatments otherwise.
      - KenShang 4y ago
        What is your point? Do you think I promote unapproved ingredients? Of course, manufacturers do not use toxic ingredients, and of course, the active ingredients should be approved. How does it say that skincare manufacturers should conduct a randomized controlled trial?

KenShang 4y ago

This is a good point. We do our best to measure the quality of predictions. But usually, we don't know who our users are. It is anonymous. We compare users' ratings (when they rate) with our prediction and ask people we know personally to check if it's accurate. And it's not a treatment; it's more about hygiene. Teenagers don't know much about acne and how to manage it (frankly speaking, the same is valid for adults). And skincare is about marketing. Teens use popular products, which could be the wrong choice or something not needed at all. In case of severe acne, it's definitely necessary to see a doctor.

jasonhansel 4y ago
The text of your website makes it pretty clear that you are promising to help people treat (or "manage") acne; if it didn't help with that, I wouldn't see the purpose of the product. Acne, even if not "severe," is a medical condition. Treatments for medical conditions should be (and may be legally required to be) evaluated through professionally-conducted randomized clinical trials to prove that they are efficacious.
- KenShang 4y ago
  I don't want to argue about medical conditions, but clinical trials are unnecessary in this case. More than 20,000 skincare brands claim to help with acne, aging, and other skin concerns. But I've never about even one conducted double blind randomized controlled trial. And I agree with you, some kind of control is needed. That is why I said skincare is about marketing. About helping, it helps the vast majority, except in severe cases, and the result is a reduction in pimples on the face. It is the only thing that teens care about. You should follow simple rules and pick the right products. I think the accuracy of our recommendations is relatively high. I don't have big numbers to brag about. But over time, I will. Now the primary source of information is TikTok. I should consider rewriting the message, though. Thank you.
  - jasonhansel 4y ago
    > But I've never about even one conducted double blind randomized controlled trial. Their active ingredients (e.g. salicylic acid, benozyl peroxide) have received FDA approval (in various forms); it would be illegal to market them as acne treatments otherwise.
    - KenShang 4y ago
      What is your point? Do you think I promote unapproved ingredients? Of course, manufacturers do not use toxic ingredients, and of course, the active ingredients should be approved. How does it say that skincare manufacturers should conduct a randomized controlled trial?