Why scores are estimates
- There is no ground truth. Attractiveness is subjective. An app can measure distances, angles and skin features precisely, but how it turns them into a score is a design choice.
- A single 2D photo. A flat image cannot capture the full 3D shape of a face.
- Different apps, different scales. A 1 to 8 PSL-style scale and a 0 to 100 score are not comparable.
What changes the result in the same face
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Camera distance | Phone cameras held close exaggerate the nose and centre of the face. |
| Lighting | Harsh or side light creates shadows that look like structure or skin issues. |
| Head angle | Tilting up or down changes proportions, thirds and tilt readings. |
| Expression | Smiling or squinting moves the eyes, mouth and cheeks. |
| Filters and beauty mode | These alter the image before the app sees it. |
How to get a more reliable reading
- Use even, soft light facing you, such as a window.
- Keep the camera at eye level and your head level.
- Use a neutral expression with hair off your face.
- Turn off filters and beauty mode.
- Repeat the same setup every time you rescan.
Our guide on how to take a face scan photo covers this step by step.
What good apps do
Look for an app that shows a breakdown instead of one number, explains what it measures, tells you what to improve, and is upfront about its limits. Hexum maps 247 facial landmarks, scores 34 metrics, cross-references them against 40+ peer-reviewed studies, and tells you plainly that scores are AI-generated estimates and not medical advice.
The best way to use a score
Treat a score as a baseline and a progress tracker, not a judgment. A change from one scan to the next under the same conditions is more meaningful than the number itself. See how apps compare in our best AI face rating apps guide.
Try Hexum. Grounded in 40+ peer-reviewed studies. Free to download, and your first scan is free.