The skincare industry can often be a confusing and overwhelming place for consumers. With a plethora of products on the market, each boasting a myriad of health claims, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction. Unfortunately, manufacturers can sometimes exaggerate the benefits of their products, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.

It is therefore crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Rather than taking the claims made about these products at face value, it is important to delve deeper into the ingredients used and the science behind them. This can help to establish whether or not the product will truly live up to its claims.

In this article, we will be critically analysing the Barrier Hero Cream by Deascal. This barrier repair cream has made a number of claims about its effectiveness, which we will be scrutinizing in detail. We will compare these claims to the ingredients used within the product, performing a truth assessment to determine if the product can indeed deliver on its promises.

So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about the Barrier Hero Cream and break them down:

Claim #1: The product supports and protects the skin barrier

Deascal’s Website States: “Supports and protects the skin barrier. Discover our daily barrier recovery cream, perfect for extremely dry/sensitive skin. Enriched with 6 active ingredients, it’s crafted to support the skin’s natural barrier and retain moisture for 24 hours, leaving skin feeling revitalized and hydrated.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients list includes several components known to support and protect the skin barrier. Glycerin, a humectant, attracts water to the skin and helps retain moisture. Shea Butter and Cocoa Seed Butter are emollients that soften and smooth the skin, reinforcing the skin’s barrier. Phospholipids and Sphingolipids are lipids that mimic the natural lipids in the skin, further strengthening the skin barrier. Therefore, the claim is true.

Claim #2: The product offers heavyweight, long-lasting moisture and hydration

Deascal’s Website States: “Offers heavyweight, long-lasting moisture and hydration. Nourishes dry skin deeply.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several ingredients that provide moisture and hydration. Glycerin, a powerful humectant, attracts water to the skin and helps it stay hydrated. Shea Butter and Cocoa Seed Butter are rich in fatty acids and provide deep, long-lasting moisture. Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of Hyaluronic Acid, can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, providing intense hydration. Therefore, the claim is true.

Claim #3: The product reduces the appearance of flakiness and dry patches

Deascal’s Website States: “Helps reduce the appearance of flakiness and dry patches.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of dry, flaky skin. Glycerin, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Seed Butter provide deep hydration and moisture, helping to smooth out dry patches and reduce flakiness. Therefore, the claim is true.

Claim #4: The product protects the skin from environmental stressors

Deascal’s Website States: “The formula is crafted to assist in protecting the skin from environmental stressors, helping the skin look healthy and invigorated with a natural glow.”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: While the product contains ingredients that can strengthen the skin’s barrier, which in turn can help protect the skin from environmental stressors, there are no specific antioxidants or sun protection ingredients listed that would directly protect the skin from environmental damage such as UV rays or pollution. Therefore, this claim is possibly true, but not definitively so based on the ingredients list.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Highly Likely

The product’s claims are largely supported by the ingredients listed. The presence of Glycerin, Shea Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, and Sodium Hyaluronate all contribute to the product’s ability to support and protect the skin barrier, provide long-lasting moisture and hydration, and reduce the appearance of flakiness and dry patches. However, the claim about protecting the skin from environmental stressors is less substantiated, as the product does not contain specific antioxidants or sun protection ingredients.

Users should be mindful that while the ingredients listed are known to have the claimed effects, the effectiveness of the product also depends on the concentrations of these ingredients. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are ordered by weight, but this does not necessarily reflect the concentration of each ingredient in the formula. For example, an ingredient listed towards the end of the list may still be present in an effective concentration.

Remember, not all skincare products are created equal. It’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredients list. Be skeptical of products that make grandiose claims without the ingredients to back them up. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s skin is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.

This product review has been commissioned by Truth In Skincare (TiS), an independent industry regulator. The review has been conducted by a TiS-appointed industry consultant who has utilized a variety of reliable sources to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the review.

These sources include CosIng, the Cosmetic Ingredient Database managed by the European Commission, which provides detailed information about the ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products. The consultant has also referred to the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), an authoritative resource on the safety and regulatory aspects of personal care products.

Furthermore, the review incorporates information from The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), a federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices, and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

In addition to these sources, the consultant has also referred to various other publicly available sources to provide a comprehensive and unbiased review of the product.