The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each boasting a multitude 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 or even entirely false.
As a consumer, it’s crucial to perform due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value may leave you out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It’s important to critically analyze the ingredients used within the product and compare them to the claims made about the product. This truth assessment can help establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser by Cerave. We will be looking at the main claims being made about this product and breaking them down to see if they hold up under scrutiny.
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/Water, Glycerin, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Polysorbate 20, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Squalane, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ppg-5-Ceteth-20, Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glyceride 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
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So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser by Cerave:
Claim #1: The Product Leaves No Residue After Use
Cerave’s Website States: ‘Residue Free. Rinses clean without leaving a greasy residue’
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains ingredients like PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate and Coco-Betaine, which are known to be good cleansing agents. These ingredients help in removing dirt and oil from the skin, and they are also known to rinse off well, potentially leaving no residue. However, the presence of oils like Squalane and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride might leave a slight residue depending on the individual’s skin type and the product’s formulation. Therefore, while it’s possible that the product leaves no residue, it might not be the case for everyone.
Claim #2: The Product Does Not Clog Pores
Cerave’s Website States: ‘Non-Comedogenic. Won’t clog pores’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The term “non-comedogenic” means that the product is designed to not block pores. Looking at the ingredient list, there are no ingredients that are known to be highly comedogenic. For instance, Squalane and the Ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP) are known to be non-comedogenic. Therefore, it’s likely that this product won’t clog pores.
Claim #3: The Product Removes Dirt, Oil, and Makeup
Cerave’s Website States: ‘Removes Dirt, Oil, and Makeup. Removes even long-wear facial makeup’
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their cleansing properties. Coco-Betaine, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, and Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate are all surfactants, which work by breaking down and removing dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. Therefore, it’s likely that this product is effective at removing dirt, oil, and makeup, including long-wear facial makeup.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product seems to be largely truthful in its claims, with the potential to leave no residue, not clog pores, and effectively remove dirt, oil, and makeup. However, it’s important to note that the claim of leaving no residue may not hold true for everyone, as the presence of certain oils in the product might leave a slight residue depending on the individual’s skin type and the product’s formulation.
It’s also worth noting 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. For instance, a product might contain a high amount of a certain ingredient, but if it’s not in a high enough concentration to be effective, it won’t deliver the promised results.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredient list. Be skeptical of products that make grandiose claims without the ingredients to back them up. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, so what works for one person might not work for another. It’s always a good idea to 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.
