CLEO's retouching policy

At CLEO, we know we're a role model for our readers, which is why we have strict guidelines when it comes to retouching images that appear on our pages.

It's important to note that a large portion of images featured in CLEO are supplied from picture agencies and the majority these images have had prior retouching, which is beyond CLEO's control. CLEO cannot reverse any of these changes and effects placed on the images supplied, and there is often no alternative suitable image to use. In regards to covers, approval to run a celebrity on the cover will not be granted by their publicist unless the image has been retouched.

In regards the images we do have control over, we adhere closely to the following rules:

When it comes to retouching, CLEO does NOT use PhotoShop to:

• Change the body shape of any person photographed for the magazine.
• Remove/airbrush natural lines, freckles, or any permanent features, unless specifically requested by the person photographed for the magazine.

When it comes to retouching, like most other magazines, CLEO uses PhotoShop to:

• Neutralise colours to appear as close to real life as possible and for consistency across the magazine.
• Enhance, contrast or brighten colours to bring image closer to real life.
• Extend photos to reach required 5mm bleed.
• Lighten & darken images behind text for legibility.
• Remove any temporary skin marks, such as bruises or scratches (NOT natural lines, freckles, moles, etc).
• Lighten shadows, where the lighting has had too much of an unnatural effect on the skin tone.
• Correct colour casts.