Effective date: 24/07/2026. Last updated: 24/07/2026.
1. Introduction
Mia Seilern (“Mia Seilern,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates miaseilern.com (the “Site”), a skincare and cosmetics ingredient information service. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and the choices and rights available to you, wherever in the world you are visiting from. It applies to all visitors and users of the Site.
By using the Site, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Site.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information you provide directly
- Newsletter and contact submissions: if you subscribe to a newsletter or contact us, we collect your email address and any other information you choose to include in your message.
- Barcode / photo product search: if you use the barcode or photo-based product search feature, the image you submit is sent to our search service to identify the product. We do not knowingly collect biometric data through this feature — it is used solely to match a product image or barcode against our product database. Not retained beyond the search session
- Likes / favorites: if the Site allows you to “like” or save an ingredient, product, or article, we store that preference against a device or account identifier so it can be shown back to you.
2.2 Information collected automatically
- IP address and approximate location derived from it (city/region/country level, not precise geolocation).
- Browser type and version, device type, operating system, and language settings.
- Pages visited, time spent on pages, referring/exit pages, and click activity, collected through server logs and, if enabled, analytics tools.
- Cookies and similar technologies — see our Cookie Policy for full detail.
2.3 Information from third parties
Ingredient, product, and news content displayed on the Site is sourced from public databases and publications (e.g., PubMed/NCBI, openFDA, and licensed or publicly available RSS feeds from beauty publications). This is factual/editorial content about products and research, not personal information about you.
3. How We Use Information
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Site and its features (search, filters, likes, barcode scanning).
- To respond to inquiries and send newsletters you’ve opted into.
- To monitor and analyze usage trends, diagnose technical issues, and secure the Site against abuse.
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms & Conditions.
4. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK Visitors)
Where the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) or UK GDPR applies, we rely on the following legal bases: performance of a contract (providing the Site’s features to you), our legitimate interests (improving and securing the Site, understanding usage), your consent (e.g., non-essential cookies, newsletter sign-up), and compliance with legal obligations. You may withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site and, where applicable, to understand usage. Full detail on the categories of cookies used, their purpose, and how to control them is set out in our Cookie Policy, which forms part of this Privacy Policy.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:
- Service providers: infrastructure and processing partners that help us run the Site, including our database and backend hosting provider (Supabase), our website hosting provider, and an AI service provider used to help summarize publicly available scientific abstracts for our news content (Anthropic). These providers process data on our behalf and are contractually restricted from using it for their own purposes.
- Legal compliance: where required to comply with applicable law, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Mia Seilern, our users, or the public.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality protections.
- With your consent: for any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection with your consent.
7. International Data Transfers
We operate a Site intended for a global audience, and information may be processed or stored in countries other than your own, including the United States and other jurisdictions where our hosting and service providers operate. Where we transfer personal information out of the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we rely on recognized transfer mechanisms such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, adequacy decisions, or equivalent safeguards, as applicable. By using the Site, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in countries with data protection laws that may differ from those of your home jurisdiction.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. 30 Days
9. Your Privacy Rights
9.1 General
Depending on your location, you may have the right to request access to, correction of, deletion of, or a copy of your personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@miaseilern.com.
9.2 European Economic Area, UK, and Switzerland (GDPR / UK GDPR)
If GDPR or UK GDPR applies to you, you have the right to: access your personal data; rectify inaccurate data; erase your data (“right to be forgotten”); restrict processing; data portability; object to processing (including profiling for legitimate interests and direct marketing); and to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
9.3 California (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to: know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and (if applicable) sell or share; request deletion of your personal information; request correction of inaccurate personal information; opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not currently sell or share personal information as defined by the CCPA/CPRA); limit the use of sensitive personal information; and not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. To exercise these rights, contact us at info@miaseilern.com.
9.4 Other U.S. States
Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and other states with comprehensive consumer privacy laws have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and port their personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, and certain profiling. Contact us at info@miaseilern.com to exercise these rights; we will verify and respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
9.5 Canada
If the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”) or applicable provincial privacy law governs your information, you have the right to access and request correction of your personal information and to withdraw consent, subject to legal and contractual restrictions.
9.6 Brazil
If Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (“LGPD”) applies to you, you have rights including confirmation of processing, access, correction, anonymization, portability, deletion, and information about third parties with whom we have shared your data.
9.7 Other Jurisdictions
We aim to honor privacy rights consistent with applicable law wherever you are located. If your jurisdiction provides rights not specifically listed above, contact us at info@miaseilern.com and we will respond in accordance with applicable law.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@miaseilern.com and we will take steps to delete it.
11. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” signal. There is no accepted industry standard for responding to these signals, so we currently do not respond to them differently from other traffic. Where required by law, we honor the Global Privacy Control (“GPC”) signal as a valid request to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information.
12. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Third-Party Links and Content Sources
The Site links to and summarizes content from third-party sources, including scientific literature (PubMed), regulatory databases (openFDA), and beauty publications via RSS. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information to them.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be highlighted on this page or, where required by law, communicated to you directly.
15. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices can be sent to info@miaseilern.com or Mia Seilern.
