The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products on the market, each making bold 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 can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers feeling 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 may not always yield the desired results. It is important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product and assess whether they can truly deliver on the promises made.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Daily Moisturizing Lotion by Paula’s Choice. This moisturizing lotion with SPF claims to provide a range of benefits for the skin. We will be examining these claims in detail, comparing them to the ingredients used within the product, to perform a truth assessment. This will help us 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: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Titanium Dioxide, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil , Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja Sterols, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Ceramide NG, Methicone, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Alumina, Polysorbate 20, Aluminum Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin 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 this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The product defends against environmental assault
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Helps defend against signs of environmental assault”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, both of which are physical sunscreens that protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, a major environmental assault on the skin. Additionally, antioxidants like Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) and Superoxide Dismutase are known to neutralize harmful free radicals, which are often a result of environmental stressors like pollution and sunlight. Therefore, the claim that the product defends against environmental assault is true.
Claim #2: The product improves youthful-looking radiance
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Essential for restoring and improving a youthful-looking radiance”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains ingredients like Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin, which are known to hydrate the skin and improve its appearance, potentially leading to a more youthful look. Additionally, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, a stable form of Vitamin C, is known for its ability to brighten the skin and improve its radiance. However, the effectiveness of these ingredients in improving youthful-looking radiance can vary from person to person, and may also depend on other factors such as the user’s skin type and the regularity of use.
Claim #3: The product decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “The pure mineral zinc oxide sunscreen is a significant benefit as it decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun if used as directed with other sun protection measures”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Zinc Oxide is a physical sunscreen that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are known to cause premature skin aging, while UVB rays can cause sunburn and, in the long term, skin cancer. Therefore, regular use of a product containing Zinc Oxide, in conjunction with other sun protection measures, can indeed decrease the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.
Claim #4: The product is gentle enough for sensitive skin, including skin prone to eczema
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Formulated to be gentle enough for sensitive skin, including skin prone to eczema”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their soothing properties, such as Allantoin and Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, which can be beneficial for sensitive skin and skin prone to eczema. However, the product also contains ingredients like Cetearyl Alcohol and Dimethicone, which, while generally considered safe, can cause irritation in some individuals with sensitive skin. Therefore, while the product is likely to be gentle on most people’s skin, its suitability for sensitive skin or skin prone to eczema can vary from person to person.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 7.5/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product’s claims are largely truthful, with the ingredients listed known to provide the benefits stated. However, the effectiveness of these ingredients can vary from person to person, and may also depend on other factors such as the user’s skin type and the regularity of use. For instance, while the product is likely to be gentle on most people’s skin, its suitability for sensitive skin or skin prone to eczema can vary from person to person due to potential irritants like Cetearyl Alcohol and Dimethicone.
It’s also important to note that this assessment assumes all ingredients are used in effective quantities. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, meaning the first ingredient listed is the most abundant and the last is the least. However, this doesn’t tell us everything about the concentration of each ingredient. For example, a product could contain a high amount of an ineffective ingredient and a low amount of an effective one, but still list the effective ingredient first.
Remember, not all claims made by skincare products are regulated, so it’s always a good idea to do your own research. Look for scientific studies that back up the claims, and be skeptical of vague or overly dramatic language. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, so what works for one person might 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.
