The skincare industry can often be a labyrinth of confusion 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 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 exercise due diligence. Taking claims about products at face value can lead to disappointment. It’s important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the products and assess whether they can truly deliver on their promises.

In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser by Cerave. 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 transforms from a cream to a soft foam when lathered with water

Cerave’s Website States: “begins as a cream before transforming to a soft foam when you begin to lather it on the skin with water”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients list includes several surfactants such as Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. These ingredients are commonly used in skincare products to create a foaming effect when mixed with water. They help to break down oils and dirt on the skin, allowing them to be rinsed away. Therefore, it is true that the product can transform from a cream to a foam when lathered with water.

Claim #2: The product effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture

Cerave’s Website States: “effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The surfactants mentioned above not only create a foaming effect but also help to remove dirt and makeup from the skin. Additionally, the product contains Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, both of which are powerful humectants that attract and retain moisture in the skin. This means that while the product cleanses the skin, it also helps to maintain its natural moisture levels. Therefore, it is true that the product can effectively remove dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture.

Claim #3: The product features 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin’s moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier

Cerave’s Website States: “This gentle, fragrance-free formula features 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skins moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, and Ceramide EOP. Ceramides are lipids (fats) that are naturally present in the skin and play a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function and retaining moisture. By replenishing the skin’s ceramides, the product can help to restore and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, thereby locking in moisture. Therefore, it is true that the product features 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin’s moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.

Claim #4: The product uses MVE technology to ensure efficient delivery of ceramides within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time

Cerave’s Website States: “MVE technology encapsulates ceramides to ensure efficient delivery within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) technology is a patented delivery system that is said to encapsulate active ingredients and release them slowly over time. However, the ingredients list does not provide specific information about this technology or the encapsulation process. While it is possible that the product uses this technology, it cannot be confirmed based on the ingredients list alone.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

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

The product’s claims about transforming from a cream to a foam, effectively removing dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture, and featuring 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin’s moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier are all supported by the ingredients list. However, the claim about using MVE technology to ensure efficient delivery of ceramides within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time cannot be confirmed based on the ingredients list alone.

While this assessment is generally positive, it’s important to remember that it 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. A product could technically contain a beneficial ingredient, but if it’s not present in an effective concentration, it won’t provide the claimed benefits.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredients list. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true or that aren’t supported by the ingredients. And remember, even if a product contains beneficial ingredients, they need to be present in effective concentrations to provide the claimed benefits.

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.