The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each making a myriad of health claims, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising to deliver miraculous results. However, these claims are not always truthful and can be greatly exaggerated.

When shopping for skincare products, it is crucial to perform due diligence. Taking claims about products at face value may leave consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It is important to critically analyze the ingredients used within the product and compare them to the claims made about the product. This truth assessment can help establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.

In this article, we will be analyzing the Cleansing Balm by Neutrogena. This product has been marketed with several claims about its effectiveness and benefits. We will be breaking down these claims and comparing them to the ingredients used in the product to determine if it can truly deliver on its promises.

Let’s look at the main claims being made about this product and break them down:

Claim #1: The Product Gently Melts Away Dirt, Oil, and Makeup

Neutrogena’s Website States: “Gently melt away dirt, oil, and stubborn makeup.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredient Isopropyl Myristate is known for its ability to reduce the greasiness of oils, making it effective in removing dirt and oil from the skin. It also has solvent properties, which means it can dissolve other substances, such as makeup. Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier often used in cosmetics to help water and oil mix, aiding in the removal of oil and makeup from the skin. Therefore, based on these ingredients, the claim is true.

Claim #2: The Product Removes Even Stubborn Waterproof Mascara

Neutrogena’s Website States: “Removes even stubborn waterproof mascara.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Isopropyl Myristate and Isohexadecane both have solvent properties, which means they can dissolve other substances, including stubborn, waterproof mascara. They are often used in makeup removers for this reason. Therefore, based on these ingredients, the claim is true.

Claim #3: The Product is Fragrance-, Paraben-, and Phthalate-Free

Neutrogena’s Website States: “Fragrance-, paraben-, and phthalate-free.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Looking at the ingredient list, there are no fragrances, parabens, or phthalates listed. Fragrances are usually listed as ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’, parabens often end in ‘-paraben’ (like methylparaben or propylparaben), and phthalates are often listed as ‘DEP’, ‘DBP’, ‘DEHP’ or ‘fragrance’ (as they can be hidden in the fragrance mix). Therefore, based on the provided ingredient list, the claim is true.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 10/10

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

The product’s claims of gently melting away dirt, oil, and makeup, removing even stubborn waterproof mascara, and being fragrance-, paraben-, and phthalate-free have all been verified as true. The ingredients listed in the product have properties that support these claims. However, it’s important to note that this assessment assumes all ingredients are used in effective quantities. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, but this doesn’t necessarily tell us everything about the concentration of each ingredient.

Users should be mindful of the fact that while the product is free of fragrances, parabens, and phthalates, it does contain other ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Always perform a patch test before using a new skincare product.

Remember, not all skincare products are created equal. Some may make false or grossly exaggerated claims about their effectiveness. Quick tricks for identifying these include researching the ingredients, looking for scientific studies that back up the claims, and reading reviews from other users. Always be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true, and remember that 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 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.