The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each boasting a range of health claims, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising miraculous results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.
It’s important to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value can often lead to disappointment. Instead, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the ingredients used within these products and assess whether they can truly deliver on their promises.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Cicaplast Gel B5 by La Roche-Posay. This product is marketed as a skin barrier gel, promising a range of benefits for the skin. 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.
View all the information used for this fact check. Access a timestamped snapshot of the product's official webpage as reviewed by us, preserved for transparency and future reference. INCI list at time of reviewal: Active Ingredient: Glycerin 21% Inactive Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Polybutene, Sodiumcitrate, Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20 Madecassoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Manganese Gluconate Tocopherol Product formulations and manufacturer claims may evolve. For the most current information, refer directly to the product's official website. Our reviews are updated periodically to reflect new data.Resources
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Let’s delve into the main claims being made about the Cicaplast Gel B5 and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product is Suitable for Use After Medical Procedures
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Tested post-procedure, post-stitches, post-laser’
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product’s active ingredient, Glycerin, is a well-known humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, which can aid in the healing process. Additionally, ingredients like Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate are known for their soothing and hydrating properties, which can be beneficial post-procedure. However, without specific clinical trials demonstrating the product’s efficacy in a post-procedure setting, it’s not possible to definitively confirm this claim.
Claim #2: The Product Protects and Relieves Chapped, Cracked, and Chafed Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Protects and helps relieve chapped, cracked, chafed skin’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients in this product, particularly Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Sodium Hyaluronate, are known for their moisturizing and skin-protecting properties. Glycerin attracts moisture to the skin, Dimethicone forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, and Sodium Hyaluronate helps to hydrate the skin. These actions can help to protect and relieve dry, chapped, and chafed skin.
Claim #3: The Product Comforts and Soothes Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Comforts and soothes skin’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Several ingredients in this product, such as Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Madecassoside, are known for their soothing properties. Panthenol is a form of Vitamin B5 that has anti-inflammatory effects, Sodium Hyaluronate hydrates the skin, and Madecassoside is derived from Centella Asiatica, a plant known for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients can help to comfort and soothe irritated skin.
Claim #4: The Product is Suitable for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Sensitive skin feels comfortable and hydrated’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their gentle, soothing properties, such as Glycerin, Panthenol, and Sodium Hyaluronate. These ingredients can help to hydrate and soothe sensitive skin without causing irritation. Additionally, the product does not appear to contain common irritants such as fragrances or harsh detergents, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Claim #5: The Product is Suitable for Children and Adults
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Suitable for children and adults’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients in this product are generally considered safe for use by both children and adults. Glycerin, Panthenol, and Sodium Hyaluronate are gentle and hydrating, making them suitable for all ages. However, as with any skincare product, it’s always recommended to do a patch test before using it on a child’s skin to ensure there’s no adverse reaction.
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 known properties of its ingredients. Glycerin, Panthenol, and Sodium Hyaluronate are all well-documented for their hydrating and soothing properties, which can benefit post-procedure, chapped, cracked, and chafed skin. The product also appears to be free of common irritants, making it suitable for sensitive skin and potentially safe for use by both children and adults.
However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of these ingredients can depend on their concentrations in the product. Skincare formulas list their ingredients in order of weight, but this doesn’t always reflect the actual concentration of each ingredient. For example, an ingredient listed near the end of the list may still be present in a significant amount if it’s a highly potent substance.
It’s also worth noting that the claim about the product’s suitability for use after medical procedures is less certain. While the ingredients have properties that could theoretically benefit post-procedure skin, the lack of specific clinical trials makes it impossible to confirm this claim definitively.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and consider the ingredients and their known properties. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true or that aren’t supported by scientific evidence. And always do a patch test before trying a new product, especially if you have sensitive skin or are considering using it on a child.
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.
