The skincare industry can be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products on the market, each boasting a myriad of health claims, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make bold assertions about their skincare products, promising transformative 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 the product’s potential effectiveness and whether it is likely to live up to its claims.

In this article, we will be critically analysing a product from The Ordinary, a brand known for its straightforward, ingredient-focused approach to skincare. The product in question is their Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 hydrating serum. We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used, and performing a truth assessment to establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.

So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about this product and break them down:

Claim #1: The Product Provides Instant Plumping Hydration

The Ordinary’s Website States: ‘Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 provides instant plumping hydration to give softer, smoother, healthy-looking skin.’

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is a humectant. Humectants are substances that have the ability to attract and retain moisture. They work by drawing water from the deeper layers of the skin or from the environment and bringing it to the surface of the skin, creating a plumping effect. This can result in softer, smoother, and healthier-looking skin. Additionally, the product contains Propanediol and Glycerin, both of which are also humectants, further enhancing the product’s hydrating properties.

Claim #2: The Product Promotes Skin Suppleness and Elasticity

The Ordinary’s Website States: ‘Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 also promotes skin suppleness and elasticity, while minimising the appearance of fine dry lines.’

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Hyaluronic Acid, by virtue of its moisture-retaining properties, can help improve skin suppleness and elasticity. When the skin is well-hydrated, it becomes more pliable and resilient, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, the product contains Panthenol, also known as Pro-vitamin B5, which has been shown to improve skin elasticity and hydration, further supporting this claim.

Claim #3: The Product Helps Retain Moisture

The Ordinary’s Website States: ‘The lightweight formula replenishes skin’s hydration levels with all-day results, and helps the skin retain moisture to replump dry, dehydrated skin.’

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several ingredients that can help retain moisture in the skin. As mentioned earlier, Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, and Glycerin are humectants that can attract and retain moisture. Additionally, the product contains ceramides in the form of Sphingolipids. Ceramides are lipids that naturally occur in the skin and play a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function, which includes preventing moisture loss. Therefore, the presence of these ingredients supports the claim that the product can help the skin retain moisture.

Claim #4: The Product Supports the Formation of Key Skin Barrier Components

The Ordinary’s Website States: ‘Pro-vitamin B5 helps support the formation of key skin barrier components like ceramides and fatty acids, which further helps keep moisture locked in, keeping the skin moisturized for longer.’

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains Panthenol, also known as Pro-vitamin B5. Research has shown that Panthenol can help stimulate the production of lipids, including ceramides, which are key components of the skin’s barrier. A healthy skin barrier is essential for maintaining skin hydration as it prevents moisture loss. Therefore, the presence of Panthenol in the product supports the claim that it can help support the formation of key skin barrier components.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 9/10

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

The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 product appears to be highly truthful in its claims, based on the ingredients it contains and their known properties. The product contains several humectants, including Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, and Glycerin, which are known for their ability to attract and retain moisture. This supports the claims of providing instant plumping hydration, promoting skin suppleness and elasticity, and helping the skin retain moisture.

Additionally, the product contains Panthenol, which research has shown can stimulate the production of lipids, including ceramides, key components of the skin’s barrier. This supports the claim that the product can help support the formation of key skin barrier components.

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 tell us everything about the concentrations of each ingredient. The effectiveness of an ingredient can greatly depend on its concentration in the product. Therefore, while the presence of these ingredients supports the product’s claims, the actual effectiveness may vary depending on their concentrations.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to not only look at the ingredients but also consider their concentrations. Be skeptical of products that make grand claims but contain only trace amounts of the key ingredients needed to fulfill those claims. Also, be mindful of products that contain potential irritants or allergens, especially if you have sensitive skin. Always patch test a new product before applying it to your entire face to see how your skin reacts.

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.