The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each making bold health claims, it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising miraculous results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.
When shopping for skincare products, it’s crucial to perform due diligence. Taking claims about products at face value can lead to disappointment. It’s important to look beyond the marketing hype and examine the ingredients used in the product. This can provide a more accurate picture of what the product can truly deliver.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Hydraphase Intense Serum from La Roche-Posay. We will be examining the claims made about this intense hydrating serum, comparing them to the ingredients used within the product. This truth assessment will help 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: Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl, Ether Dimethyl Silane, Paraffinum Liquidum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Arginine Pca, Serine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum 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
Archive courtesy of Archive.org.
So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about the Hydraphase Intense Serum and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Intensely Hydrates Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘This serum with hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates…’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredient list includes hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant. Humectants work by drawing water into the outer layer of your skin from both the air and from deeper levels of your skin. This makes them excellent for hydrating the skin. Additionally, the product contains glycerin, another well-known humectant. Therefore, the claim that the product intensely hydrates the skin is true.
Claim #2: The Product Soothes Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘…soothes…’
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains serine, an amino acid that can have soothing properties. However, the product also contains alcohol denat., which can be drying and irritating for some skin types. Therefore, while the product may have soothing properties for some users, it may not be soothing for all, especially those with sensitive or dry skin.
Claim #3: The Product Visibly Plumps Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘…and visibly plumps skin.’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Hyaluronic acid, as mentioned earlier, is a powerful humectant. By drawing water into the skin, it can help to plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, the claim that the product visibly plumps the skin is true.
Claim #4: The Product Provides Moisture for 24 Hours
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: ‘Serum with hyaluronic acid provides moisture for 24 hours’
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: While hyaluronic acid and glycerin are excellent hydrating ingredients, the claim that they provide moisture for 24 hours is difficult to verify without specific clinical studies. The duration of the moisturizing effect can vary depending on individual skin type, environmental conditions, and other factors. Therefore, while it’s possible that the product provides moisture for 24 hours, it’s not guaranteed for all users and conditions.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 7/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product’s claims of intense hydration and visible skin plumping are backed by the presence of hyaluronic acid and glycerin in its ingredients, both of which are known humectants that draw moisture into the skin. However, the claim of providing moisture for 24 hours is difficult to verify without specific clinical studies, and the soothing effect may not be universal, especially for those with sensitive or dry skin due to the presence of alcohol denat.
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, 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. A product can still be effective even if an active ingredient isn’t listed first. Similarly, a product can be ineffective if an active ingredient is listed first but used in a concentration that’s too low.
Remember, not all skincare claims are created equal. Be skeptical of claims that sound too good to be true, such as a product that promises to eliminate all signs of aging or completely clear acne overnight. Look for products that have undergone clinical trials or have been independently tested. And 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.
