The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products on the market, each boasting a range of health claims, it can be difficult to decipher what is true and what is simply marketing hype. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising everything from anti-aging miracles to acne cures. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated or even entirely false.

It is therefore crucial for consumers to perform due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value can lead to disappointment, wasted money, and even potential harm to the skin. It is important to critically analyze the ingredients within a product and compare them to the claims being made about the product. This can help to establish whether or not the product will truly live up to its promises.

In this article, we will be focusing on the Enriched Calming Toner from Paula’s Choice. This product claims to soothe and hydrate the skin while minimizing redness. But do the ingredients within this toner support these claims? Let’s delve deeper into the product to perform a truth assessment and find out.

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

Claim #1: The Product Delivers Key Ingredients

Paula’S Choice’s Website States: “Delivers key ingredients like skin-defending antioxidants, essential lipids and skin-restoring ingredients…”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients list confirms the presence of antioxidants (Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Superoxide Dismutase), essential lipids (Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), and skin-restoring ingredients (Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Niacinamide). These ingredients are known for their skin-beneficial properties. Antioxidants help protect the skin from environmental damage, essential lipids provide nourishment, and skin-restoring ingredients help improve skin texture and health.

Claim #2: The Product Eliminates Dry, Flaky Skin

Paula’S Choice’s Website States: “…to help eliminate dry, flaky skin as it hydrates and leaves skin feeling smooth.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several hydrating and moisturizing ingredients such as Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Glycerin. These ingredients are known to attract and hold water in the skin, thereby helping to hydrate the skin and reduce dryness and flakiness. Additionally, skin-smoothing ingredients like Dimethiconol and Panthenol can help improve the skin’s texture and leave it feeling smooth.

Claim #3: The Product is Suitable for Skin Prone to Eczema

Paula’S Choice’s Website States: “It is so gentle, it’s suitable even for skin prone to eczema.”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: While the product contains several ingredients known to be gentle and beneficial for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, such as Oenothera Biennis Oil and Allantoin, it also contains ingredients that could potentially cause irritation in some individuals, such as Sodium Benzoate and Chlorphenesin. Therefore, while the product may be suitable for many individuals with eczema, it may not be suitable for all, particularly those with sensitivities to certain ingredients.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

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

The product appears to be largely truthful in its claims, with the ingredients listed supporting the benefits it promises. However, it’s important to note that while the product may work well for many, individual skin reactions can vary, particularly for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. Some ingredients, such as Sodium Benzoate and Chlorphenesin, could potentially cause irritation in some individuals.

It’s also worth noting that this assessment assumes all ingredients are used in effective quantities. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are ordered by weight, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect the concentration of each ingredient. A product could contain a high amount of one ingredient but only a small amount of another, even if they are listed next to each other. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to do a little research into the key ingredients and their typical effective concentrations.

Remember, not all skincare claims are created equal. Be skeptical of claims that sound too good to be true, and always check the ingredient list. Look for scientific studies or reputable sources that back up the claims. And remember, everyone’s skin is different – 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.