The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each boasting a myriad of health claims, it can be difficult to discern which products are genuinely beneficial and which are simply marketing hype. Manufacturers often make grandiose 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. Rather than taking the claims made about products at face value, it is important to delve deeper and scrutinize the ingredients used within the products. This can provide a more accurate indication of whether or not the product will truly live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Gentle Cleanser by Skinceuticals. This facial cleanser has been touted for its supposed benefits, and we will be examining these claims in detail. We will compare them to the ingredients used within the product to perform a truth assessment. This will help us establish whether or not the product really does deliver on its promises.
Resources
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INCI list at time of reviewal:
Aqua / Water / Eau, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil / Orange Peel Oil, Limonene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium Edta, Polyquaternium-39, Sodium Chloride, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
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.
So, without further ado, let’s look at the main claims being made about this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Gently Removes Impurities and Excess Oil
Skinceuticals’s Website States: “Mild cream face cleanser gently removes impurities and excess oil”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains ingredients like C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, which are known to be effective surfactants. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. In skincare, they are used to cleanse the skin by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that these can be rinsed away, effectively removing impurities and excess oil from the skin.
Claim #2: The Product Soothes and Calms Dry or Sensitive Skin
Skinceuticals’s Website States: “while soothing and calming dry or sensitive skin.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains Allantoin and Glycerin, both of which are known for their skin-soothing properties. Allantoin is a compound that is used in skincare for its soothing, anti-irritant, and skin protectant properties. It can help to soothe and protect dry or sensitive skin. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, helping to hydrate and soothe dry skin.
Claim #3: The Product Softens and Restores Skin’s Surface
Skinceuticals’s Website States: “Gentle Cleanser is a creamy, mild face cleanser for sensitive skin formulated with an emollient-rich surfactant and a 3% concentration of key ingredients combining allantoin, glycerin, and orange oil to soften and restore skin’s surface.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains ingredients like Glycerin, Allantoin, and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, which are known for their skin-softening properties. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated. Allantoin is known for its skin-soothing and softening properties. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil is known for its conditioning properties, which can help to restore the skin’s surface.
Claim #4: The Product Efficiently Removes Long-Wear Face and Eye Makeup Without Any Traces of Residue
Skinceuticals’s Website States: “This non-foaming, gentle skin cleanser efficiently removes impurities and long-wear face and eye makeup without any traces of residue.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, which are known to be effective surfactants. Surfactants are used in skincare to help water mix with oil and dirt so that these can be rinsed away. This means they can also help to remove makeup, including long-wear face and eye makeup, without leaving any traces of residue.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 9/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Highly likely
The product’s claims are largely substantiated by the ingredients it contains. The surfactants, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, are known to effectively remove impurities, excess oil, and long-wear makeup. The skin-soothing properties of Allantoin and Glycerin make it likely that the product can soothe and calm dry or sensitive skin. The skin-softening properties of Glycerin, Allantoin, and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil make it likely that the product can soften and restore the skin’s surface.
However, users should be mindful that individual skin reactions can vary. While the ingredients are known for their stated benefits, individual skin types and conditions may respond differently. The product’s effectiveness can also depend on the concentration of these ingredients. While the ingredient list is in weight order, it does not provide specific concentrations. Therefore, it is possible that some ingredients may not be present in effective quantities.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to consider your individual skin type and needs. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true, and remember that the order of ingredients can give you a clue about their concentration. However, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Ingredients at the end of the list may still be effective in small quantities, and ingredients at the beginning may not be effective if they are not suited to your skin type.
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.
