Evergreen monthly benchmark — May 7
Skincare
Research by Robert Hu · Published by RecoScope ·
- Usable answers
- 12/12
- Models
- 4
- Prompt types
- 3
Included: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity
Report history · May 7 selected · 9 snapshots
Key takeaway
The skincare category has settled into a clear hierarchy across this run: La Roche-Posay and CeraVe as universal duopoly, SkinCeuticals as universal premium, The Ordinary as universal budget, EltaMD as universal sunscreen specialist. New brand momentum: Medik8 has emerged in Gemini specifically as a "30s anti-aging" recommendation. Notable Claude behavioral shift: Claude P1 declined to rank brands and asked for skin type first. P3 pushed back on the "rank brands" framing. This is unusual prompt-handling for Claude in any RecoScope run.
Mention Frequency Trend
Brands ordered by mention count in each run. Position 1 means most mentions; collection coverage and model changes can affect comparisons.
Scroll sideways to see all dates and labels.
Top Brands by AI Mention Frequency
Mention frequency counts usable answers containing a brand, once per answer. Unranked and critical mentions count as visibility. Recommendation ranks are shown separately below.
Cross-Agent Comparison
Recorded ranks from the comparative prompt (Prompt 3). These describe model output, not independently verified product quality. Historical parsing conventions may differ.
4/4 models with recorded ranks
| Agent | #1 | #2 | #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | La Roche-Posay | CeraVe | The Ordinary |
| Claude | La Roche-Posay | CeraVe | Neutrogena |
| Gemini | SkinCeuticals | Medik8 | EltaMD |
| Perplexity | SkinCeuticals | SkinMedica | CeraVe |
What This Means
- ChatGPT (commerce-formatted): Surfaces Dermalogica as the top "best overall" pick uniquely — only model to feature them prominently.
- Also surfaces Good Molecules, Vanicream, L'Oreal, and Aveeno specifically.
- Claude (most opinionated and pushed back on the question): Declined to give a brand ranking in P1, asking for skin type first.
- P3 also pushed back on the framing as "wrong question" before answering.
- Uniquely surfaces Naturium, DHC, Differin (adapalene), Vanicream.
- Gemini (lifestyle-formatted): Introduces Medik8 Crystal Retinal as a top-tier pick (no other model surfaces this), Tower 28 SOS Spray, e.l.f.
- Suntouchable, Mario Badescu, and Beauty of Joseon.
- Perplexity (most consolidated): Almost exclusively recommends CeraVe products in P2 (4 of 5 picks are CeraVe SKUs), uniquely surfaces SkinMedica.
Findings and Limitations
- Dermalogica only appears in ChatGPT despite being a major brand.
- Tatcha only appears in ChatGPT and Perplexity.
- Vanicream only appears in ChatGPT and Claude.
- Tower 28 only appears in Gemini.
- Mario Badescu only appears in Gemini.
- only appears in Gemini.
- SkinMedica only appears in Claude and Perplexity.
- Olay only appears in ChatGPT.
- Good Molecules only appears in ChatGPT.
- Maelove only appears in Claude and Gemini.
- Tatcha has weakened — only ChatGPT and Perplexity in this run.
- Beauty of Joseon only appears in Claude and Gemini.
Inspect the captured answers
Saved response text is model output. Product and health claims are unverified. Tables and cards may be transcribed as text; source labels can remain. Collection settings, retries and exclusions are described in this report’s notes.
ChatGPT · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 31-year-old woman working a desk job, looking for the best skincare. What would you recommend?
Top picks: 1. Dermalogica Discover Healthy Skin Kit $39.50 4.6 best overall balanced routine. 2. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream $72 4.5 best hydration+glow premium for dull dehydrated office-worker skin. 3. The Ordinary 2% Hyaluronic Acid + B5 $9.90 4.7 best budget serum. 4. Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum $39 4.6 best anti-aging upgrade vitamin C. 5. The Ordinary The Age Support Set $33 4.7 best simple anti-aging bundle peptides hydration.
Claude · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 31-year-old woman working a desk job, looking for the best skincare. What would you recommend?
Skincare advice depends on skin type. The only things with strong evidence behind them for woman your age: sunscreen daily (single highest-ROI product non-negotiable), retinoid at night (tretinoin prescription, adapalene/retinol OTC), gentle cleanser. Vitamin C in morning solid add. Everything else — essences, toners, expensive serums, 10-step routines — optional often marketing. Desk job detail matters less except: near window UVA exposure ages skin even indoors. Tell me skin type and current routine for specific recommendations.
Gemini · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 31-year-old woman working a desk job, looking for the best skincare. What would you recommend?
30s "preventative era." Morning: La Roche-Posay Toleriane gentle cleanser, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic gold standard or Maelove Glow Maker budget alt vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid moisturizer, SPF 30+ tinted mineral sunscreen iron oxides protect from blue light. Afternoon: Tower 28 SOS Spray rehydrate. Evening: Double cleanse balm/oil, Medik8 Crystal Retinal or CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol, eye cream peptides/caffeine, ceramides barrier cream. Weekly: Paula's Choice 2% BHA exfoliant.
Perplexity · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 31-year-old woman working a desk job, looking for the best skincare. What would you recommend?
Recommended routine: Morning gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Night gentle cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer. Add-ons: niacinamide oil control/barrier, hydrating serum if dry. Sunscreen first priority — UVA through windows. Cleanser gentle non-stripping. Moisturizer ceramides/glycerin/hyaluronic acid. Sunscreen broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Serum vitamin C morning. Retinol/retinoid night start slowly 2-3 times/week.
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