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 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 out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.

It is therefore crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Rather than taking claims about products at face value, it is important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product. This can provide a more accurate picture of whether or not the product will truly live up to its claims.

In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser by The Ordinary. This popular cream cleanser has been lauded for its purported benefits, but do these claims hold up under scrutiny? We will be examining the ingredients used in this product to perform a truth assessment and establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.

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

Claim #1: The Product Effectively Cleanses the Skin and Removes Makeup

The Ordinary’s Website States: “The Glycolipid Cream Cleanser effectively cleanses the skin and removes makeup such as foundation, eyeliner, and mascara.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients list includes Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, and Glycolipids, which are all known to have cleansing properties. Behenyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol that can help to dissolve oils and dirt on the skin, making it easier to wash them away. Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate is a plant-derived ingredient that can act as a surfactant, helping to mix water with oils and dirt so they can be rinsed away. Glycolipids are a type of lipid that can help to remove oil-based makeup and other impurities from the skin. Therefore, based on these ingredients, it is reasonable to conclude that this product can effectively cleanse the skin and remove makeup.

Claim #2: The Product Respects the Skin Barrier to Maintain Hydration

The Ordinary’s Website States: “This formulation uses a plant-derived glycolipid cleansing agent that cleanses the skin while respecting the skin barrier to maintain hydration.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains Glycolipids, which are known to help maintain the skin’s barrier function. They do this by forming a protective layer on the skin’s surface that helps to prevent moisture loss. Additionally, the product contains Pentylene Glycol, a humectant that can help to attract and retain moisture in the skin. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that this product can cleanse the skin while respecting the skin barrier to maintain hydration.

Claim #3: The Product is Non-Stripping and Respects the Skin’s Natural pH

The Ordinary’s Website States: “Additionally, this cleanser is formulated to be non-stripping to respect the skin’s natural pH.”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: The product does not contain any harsh surfactants or soaps that are known to strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt its pH balance. However, without knowing the exact pH of the product, it is not possible to definitively say whether it respects the skin’s natural pH. The skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic, around 5.5, and products that are too alkaline can disrupt this balance and cause dryness and irritation. Therefore, while the ingredients suggest that this product could be non-stripping, without further information it is not possible to definitively say whether it respects the skin’s natural pH.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

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

The product’s claims of effectively cleansing the skin and removing makeup, as well as respecting the skin barrier to maintain hydration, are backed by the presence of ingredients known to perform these functions. However, the claim of respecting the skin’s natural pH is less certain, as the exact pH of the product is not provided. It is important for consumers to be aware that while a product may not contain harsh ingredients, the pH level can still potentially disrupt the skin’s natural balance if it is too alkaline.

It’s also important to note that this assessment assumes all ingredients are used in effective quantities. In skincare formulas, the concentration of an ingredient can greatly affect its efficacy. Ingredient lists are ordered by weight, but this doesn’t tell us everything. For example, an ingredient listed first may not be the most effective if it requires a high concentration to work, and an ingredient listed last may still be effective if it only requires a small amount.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to not only look at the ingredients but also consider their concentrations and the product’s pH level. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true and always do your own research to ensure a product is right for you.

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.