Brand and product line
Record the displayed brand, full product name and product type. Shortened titles can omit words that distinguish formulas or uses.
GUIDE 01 · PRODUCT IDENTITY
Match the item before comparing the offer.
Similar packaging and nearly identical titles can still describe different formulas, sizes or configurations. A defensible comparison begins with a structured identity record, not a visual guess.
Net contents and units
Check volume or weight, unit count and pack configuration. A refill, set, twin pack and single item are separate sellable identities.
Variant and version
Capture shade, scent, finish, region, edition and formula version when shown. Marketing names that look close are not enough.
Functional attributes
Attributes such as sun-protection rating or a product-specific strength can change the identity and must not be silently merged.
THE MATCHING RECORD
Use fields that another reviewer can repeat.
Start with a product record containing the brand, complete name, category, net contents, unit count, configuration, variant and version. Add product-specific identity fields only when they help distinguish one sellable item from another.
Compare each offer against that record and preserve the source URL used for the decision. Use the retailer or brand's structured details together with pack labels and images; if those sources conflict, keep the match under review.
Normalising punctuation or capitalisation is reasonable. Replacing a missing size, assuming that a refill equals a bottle or combining different variants is not.
Bottle versus refill
Equal net contents do not make different packaging configurations the same sellable item.
Single versus set
One 30 mL item and two 15 mL items share a total volume, but their unit counts and configurations differ.
Standard versus tone-up
A named finish or functional variant remains a separate identity even when the base product line is shared.
Rating or version change
A different protection rating or formula version should block an automatic match until the identity is resolved.
MATCH OUTCOMES
Uncertain is a valid result.
Verified: the material identity fields agree and the decision has traceable source evidence.
Needs review: a required field is absent or two sources conflict. The offer should not join a public comparison yet.
Rejected or revoked: the offer describes a different item, or later evidence invalidates the original match.