The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a myriad of products available, each boasting a range of health claims, it can be difficult to navigate and find the right product for your needs. Manufacturers often make bold claims about their skincare products, promising to deliver miraculous results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.

It is therefore crucial to perform due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value without investigating the ingredients and their effectiveness can lead to disappointment. In this article, we will be critically analyzing the C5 Super Boost Moisturizer by Paula’s Choice. We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used, and performing a truth assessment to establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.

Let’s delve into the main claims being made about the C5 Super Boost Moisturizer and break them down:

Claim #1: The Product Superboosts Hydration

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “This lightweight moisturizer superboosts hydration, evenness and radiance with a blend of powerful ingredients.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their hydrating properties. For instance, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, and Sodium Hyaluronate are all humectants, which means they can attract and hold onto water, thereby boosting hydration. Additionally, ingredients like Dicaprylyl Carbonate and Dimethicone are emollients that can help lock in moisture, further enhancing the product’s hydrating effects.

Claim #2: The Product Promotes Evenness and Radiance

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “This lightweight moisturizer superboosts hydration, evenness and radiance with a blend of powerful ingredients.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside, both of which are derivatives of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is known for its ability to brighten the skin and promote an even skin tone. It can also help to fade hyperpigmentation, leading to a more radiant complexion. Therefore, the claim that the product promotes evenness and radiance is true.

Claim #3: The Product Lifts Dullness and Promotes Firmness

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “First, 5% stabilized vitamin C visibly lifts dullness and promotes firmness by fighting free-radical damage.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: As mentioned earlier, the product contains Vitamin C derivatives, which are known for their brightening effects, thereby helping to lift dullness. Moreover, Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can cause damage to the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers. By protecting the skin from free-radical damage, the product can help to maintain the skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Claim #4: The Product Strengthens the Moisture Barrier

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Then, hexapeptide-5, lipids and polyglutamic acid strengthen the moisture barrier for lasting hydration over time.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains Acetyl sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate (hexapeptide-5), Hydrogenated Lecithin and Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine (lipids), and Polyglutamic Acid. Hexapeptide-5 is a peptide that can help to improve skin elasticity and firmness, while lipids and Polyglutamic Acid can help to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, thereby preventing moisture loss and ensuring lasting hydration. Therefore, the claim that the product strengthens the moisture barrier is true.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 9/10

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

The product’s claims are largely backed by the ingredients it contains. The hydrating, brightening, firming, and moisture barrier strengthening effects are all supported by well-known skincare ingredients. However, it’s important to note that individual skin reactions can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Additionally, while the product contains ingredients known for their beneficial effects, the concentration of these ingredients also plays a crucial role in their effectiveness.

Skincare formulas list their ingredients in order of weight, meaning the first ingredient listed makes up the largest portion of the product, and the last ingredient listed makes up the least. However, this doesn’t tell us the exact percentages of each ingredient, and some ingredients can be effective even in small quantities. Therefore, while the ingredient list can give us a good idea of what’s in a product, it doesn’t tell us everything.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredient 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 different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always patch test new products and introduce them into your routine slowly to see how your skin reacts.

This product review has been commissioned by Truth In Skincare (TiS), an independent industry regulator. The review is conducted by a TiS-appointed industry consultant, who utilizes a variety of reliable sources to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information provided. These sources include CosIng (Cosmetic Ingredient Database – by the European Commission), the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), and The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, various publicly available sources are also consulted to provide a well-rounded perspective on the product under review.