Transparency · Testing · Independence

Editorial Integrity

Duplixo is not a lookalike directory. We do not find products that look similar in photos. We audit whether they are functionally equivalent at the material level — fiber density, stitch count, INCI molecular analysis, GC/MS fragrance mapping, canvas interfacing, and controlled wear testing. This page documents our standards, process, and commercial relationships.

Editorial Standards

The foundation of every Duplixo audit. These principles do not change based on commercial relationships, trend cycles, or audience size.

Independence by default

No brand can purchase a recommendation, a higher match score, or a featured position. Affiliate relationships are established only after a product passes editorial review — not before.

Molecular, not aesthetic

Our match scores are based on chemical composition, fiber density, stitch count, canvas construction, and functional testing — not on whether the product photographs similarly in marketing imagery. A visual copy that fails the wet recovery test is scored accordingly.

Transparent commercial relationships

Every page with affiliate links displays a clear, conspicuous disclosure above the first product recommendation. Disclosure language meets 16 CFR Part 255 (FTC), EU Omnibus Directive, and UK CPR 2008 standards.

Honest limitations

Where we cannot physically test a product (typically items above $500 luxury price), we say so explicitly and describe the verification method used (500+ verified owner reviews, INCI database, published lab reports). We do not extrapolate from insufficient evidence.

Testing Methodology

The specific instruments, standards, and pass/fail thresholds we apply. AI cannot wear-test a bag or run a GC/MS analysis. This is the experience layer that separates a Duplixo audit from a generic comparison article.

Fashion & Textiles

Fiber CompositionLabel cross-referenced against ISO 1833. Spectrometer analysis used for unlabelled blends. Boiled wool benchmark: 600+ g/m². Linen benchmark: 7+ oz/yd² (≥237 g/m²).
Stitch Count (SPI)Threads per linear inch under 10× magnification. Duplixo minimum: 8 SPI for handbags, 10 SPI for footwear. Luxury benchmark: 10–12 SPI.
Canvas InterfacingThe Rumple Test: fold lapel, squeeze 10s, release. Horse-hair canvas: <2s recovery. Fusible interlining: stays creased (fail). Logged as pass/fail.
Leather Grain & TanningVegetable vs chrome vs chrome-free tanning identified via bleed test (wet white cloth, 10s rub, 1–5 colour transfer scale). Grain examined under 10× magnification.
Wet Recovery (Swimwear)Stretch 4× in wet state, release. Timing to 90% recovery. Nylon benchmark: <3s. Polyester above 50%: fail — hydrophilic, grows a full size in pool.
Martindale Rub CountFor outerwear and upholstery: source brand documentation or independent lab report. Minimum for publication: 30,000 double rubs.

Beauty & Skincare

INCI Molecular AnalysisEvery ingredient parsed via INCIdecoder.com and CosIng EU database. Active position in list used to infer concentration: >1% ingredients ordered high-to-low per EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
pH VerificationVitamin C: pH strips + digital meter. Efficacy window: pH 2.5–3.5 for L-ascorbic acid. AHAs: pH 3.0–4.0. Products outside window fail for that claimed mechanism.
Concentration InferenceWhere disclosed (The Ordinary, Isntree, INKEY List), taken as stated. Where undisclosed, INCI position + known supplier MOQ ratios give ±5% estimate, disclosed as inferred.
UV Protection (Sunscreens)UV-sensitive bead test for even coverage and SPF texture spread. Filter combination cross-referenced against EU and FDA approved filter lists — FDA gap clearly noted where relevant.
Texture & AbsorptionStandardised application to inner forearm at 50–60% RH, 20°C. Absorption time, residue, and finish logged at 0, 5, and 30 minutes.

Fragrance

GC/MS Molecular Cross-ReferenceGas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry data from Fragrantica community reports, published academic analyses, and licensed supplier documentation used to identify shared aromachemicals.
Scent Pyramid MappingTop notes (0–30 min), heart (30 min–2h), base (2–8h) mapped in-house. Longevity and projection radius logged at each stage.
Blind PanelWhere feasible: minimum 5 editorial team members test luxury original vs candidate in randomised unlabelled order. ID accuracy % logged and published.

Furniture

Foam Density (kg/m³)Self-reported density verified via weight-per-volume calculation. Luxury benchmark: 45–55 kg/m³ HR foam. Below 32 kg/m³ is a fail threshold.
Frame VerificationKiln-dried solid wood vs engineered particleboard confirmed via brand documentation, customer teardown reports, and in-house testing. Particleboard disclosed as caveat.
Dimension AccuracyAll listed dimensions cross-referenced against owner photos with reference objects. Tolerance: ±3cm before flagging as misrepresented.

The 5-Step Audit Process

From "we want to audit this product" to "published page" — the repeatable workflow every Duplixo audit follows.

01

Identify the Target Product

We start with the original luxury product: its official specifications as published by the brand, the current retail price (never reseller or secondary market pricing), and any peer-reviewed or clinical data the brand has published. We do not rely on marketing claims that are not supported by documentation.

02

Source and Screen Candidates

Our team searches across 30+ retailers and direct-to-consumer brands. Candidates must share material, dimensional, or functional similarity with the original. Products sold by disreputable manufacturers, those with a pattern of counterfeit allegations, or those that misrepresent their origin are rejected at this stage.

03

Chemical, Material & Physical Testing

We apply category-specific testing protocols. For beauty and fragrance: active ingredient verification, pH confirmation, and GC/MS cross-referencing where available. For furniture: foam density, Martindale rub count, and frame construction verification. For fashion: leather grade, hardware quality, and stitching assessment. Physical samples are sourced where feasible; for high-ticket items, a minimum of 500 verified owner reviews across three independent platforms is required.

04

Scoring on the Duplixo Scale (1–10)

Each alternative is scored on our published scale: material or chemical similarity (40%), dimensional or functional accuracy (30%), and verified owner satisfaction over time (30%). A product must score 7.0 or above to be published. Products scoring 7.0–7.9 are published with explicit caveats.

05

Quarterly Review & Removal Policy

Published pages are reviewed every 90 days. If a product is discontinued, increases materially in price, receives a sustained pattern of quality complaints, or is found to misrepresent its specifications, it is immediately updated or removed. Match scores are not static — they reflect current product reality.

Affiliate Disclosure

Duplixo is reader-supported. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Duplixo participates in affiliate programs operated by Impact, LTK (LikeToKnowIt), Rakuten Advertising, and Amazon Associates, among others. When you click a product link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the retailer. This does not affect the price you pay.

Affiliate relationships are established after a product passes our editorial process — never before. We do not accept payment for inclusion, placement, or positive coverage. Brands cannot purchase a recommendation or a higher match score. Our scoring methodology is applied identically to every product regardless of whether an affiliate programme exists for it.

All affiliate links are disclosed at the point of use with an “(affiliate link)” notation or via this policy page. In compliance with FTC guidelines (16 CFR Part 255), ASA guidelines, and the requirements of our affiliate network partners, we disclose material connections clearly and conspicuously.

Editorial Independence

Duplixo's editorial team operates independently of its commercial relationships. No brand, retailer, or affiliate network has editorial access to our content prior to publication. We do not share content for approval, accept sponsored posts disguised as editorial, or modify recommendations based on commercial relationships.

If a product we recommend is subsequently found to be materially misrepresented, we correct or remove it regardless of any commercial relationship. Our obligation is to the reader, not the retailer.

Products may be provided by brands for testing purposes. When this occurs, it is noted on the relevant page. The provision of samples does not guarantee coverage and does not influence scoring.

Fact-Checking Policy

All factual claims about luxury products — prices, materials, dimensions, clinical data — are verified against primary sources: brand websites, official specification sheets, peer-reviewed studies, or direct correspondence with manufacturers. We do not publish claims based solely on secondary sources or user reports.

Price information is updated quarterly. Because prices change, the luxury retail price displayed on any page reflects the price at the time of our most recent review — not a guaranteed current price. We recommend verifying current pricing at the brand's official retailer before making any purchase decision.

If you identify a factual error on any Duplixo page, please contact editorial@duplixo.com. Verified corrections are published within 48 hours.

Human Verification Protocol

Every price, material specification, and match score published on Duplixo is verified by a human editor at the time of publication.

We cross-reference luxury brand prices against official brand websites, authorised retailers, and Farfetch at the time of each review. Alternative product prices are verified directly on the retailer's product page. Both prices are timestamped in our internal database. No price is published based on memory, cache, or a screenshot older than 72 hours.

Material claims — foam density, active ingredient concentration, Martindale rub count — are verified against primary sources: brand technical datasheets, INCI databases, independent laboratory reports, or peer-reviewed literature. Claims that cannot be verified against a primary source are either omitted or explicitly flagged as unverified.

AI Usage & Content Policy

100% of Duplixo's “Final Verdicts,” editorial conclusions, and match score justifications are written or reviewed by a human expert with domain knowledge in the relevant category.

We use AI tools to assist with database organisation, price change monitoring, and first-pass data aggregation. We do not use AI to generate final product verdicts, comparison conclusions, or editorial recommendations without human expert review. Any AI-assisted text is treated as a first draft and subjected to full editorial review before publication.

Our team includes specialists in materials science, cosmetic chemistry, fashion manufacturing, and interior design. These are the people who write and approve our final verdicts — not language models. We believe this distinction matters, and we commit to maintaining it as AI tooling evolves.

Retailer Inclusion Standards

To be listed as an alternative on Duplixo, a product must meet all of the following retailer criteria at the time of publication:

Minimum 4.0-star aggregate rating

Based on verified purchaser reviews across the retailer's own platform and at least one independent review aggregator (Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or equivalent).

Verified return policy

The retailer must offer a minimum 30-day return window on unused goods. We verify this directly on the retailer's policy page at time of publication. Policy links are included in our internal database.

Transparent shipping terms

Estimated delivery timelines must be stated on the product page or at checkout. We do not list products with undisclosed shipping origins or routes where customs import risk is not communicated.

No counterfeit history

We do not list retailers with documented counterfeit goods on their platform, regardless of the specific product's legitimacy.

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