Why we built DetroPick
DetroPick is here to bridge the "I saw it on my feed" and "I know if this is worth buying" gap. A story of ours.
A few words why we built DetroPick for example, DetroPick was born from a very straightforward rage: short-form video is where real consumers find out about skincare nowadays, but it's an awful place to research it.
30 seconds can't prove the serum won't break you out, nor that the "dupe" is really a dupe, nor even if the outfit making the claim has sources...
So we created a landing strip after the video fades out—an open, browse-able honest-to-god catalog of real reviews for real products that people are asking about anyway, in simple words, with equal billings for and against.
Independent by design
Get: I do not mean others. Otherwise we confine ourselves, others do not follow. Designed to be independent, we select what to audit on which way the wind is blowing, never from which advertiser pays the most.
Research-based
All reviews take into account the physical ingredient list, not just the packaging's promotional claim.
Pros and cons, always
Both merits and demerits, as usual. Being honest about not feeling right for everyone including, 'but beware of...'-type guidelines.
Fast to find
Finding fast, our search is one-trick. It was designed for one task: taking you from "what was that product?" to the correct information in seconds.
Hi, I'm Isaac Abraham
Founder, DetroPick
I used to purchase skincare like most people, by hype. If it was loved by a number of people online, that was enough of a reason for me to try it.
That occurred with a body cream loved by almost all of the online skincare community which triggered a reaction that broke out my skin, within a matter of days.
I had not even done one ounce of research before placing it on my face. That breakout turned into a habit.
I began reading ingredient lists rather than ignoring them and investigating why a particular product that's perfect for one skin type can be disastrous for another.
It finally hit home that I wasn't unique in browsing in this way—people know they can't be bothered to research because they don't care, but they also don't have the time to do it right.
I already had for myself. It was time I started for others.
That is the sincere beginning of DetroPick. Not a business plan—a breakthrough, a question, and a reflex to actually check before purchasing.
I signed up for Amazon Associates so the site wasn't completely on its own -- although the research always took precedence.
I wasn't looking for products to hawk, I was looking to continue the kind of research that nearly saved my life, and explain what I learned.
What that means for DetroPick today
Claims trace back to real sources
One can go and verify what was said by consulting the book, the film, or the interview. Manufacturer ingredient verified product information - no guesswork, no hype.
Manufacturer claims are labeled as such
As long as a brand claims it about its own product, we accept this statement and do not find a second, independent verification of it.
Every review includes real drawbacks
All reviews worth reading mention actual disadvantages. There isn't a perfect product and it's not helpful to try and pretend otherwise when making a decision.
Built to help you decide, not convince you
Our aim is to assist you in determining if a product suits your needs—we do not intend to persuade you to purchase it.
Mission
Allow consumers to make educated decisions on skincare with evidenced information, not myth, displaying truthful benefits, genuine drawbacks and no false information.
Vision
To become the skin review source that people trust because it saves them money instead of just costing them.
Thanks for reading and for taking as much care with your skin as I wish I had all along.— Isaac Abraham, Founder, DetroPick
Our process
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1
We track what people are searching for
Our review selection is influenced by items gaining popularity on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
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2
We study the formula
All reviews begin with the ingredients; what it actually does, who it is for.
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3
We weigh the real-world feedback
It is the case that for confirmed buyer post-purchase feedback we are actually referencing it against the claims, not just the star average.
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4
We publish the whole picture
The benefits and drawbacks, target users and those who should steer clear—every review covers all angles.