The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a myriad of products on the market, each boasting a range of health claims, it can be difficult to discern which products will truly deliver on their promises. Manufacturers often make bold claims about their skincare products, promising to reduce wrinkles, clear acne, or provide a youthful glow. 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 product claims at face value, it is important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product. This can provide a more accurate assessment of whether the product will truly live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen by Cerave. We will be examining the claims made about this product, and comparing them to the ingredients used within the product. This will allow us to perform a truth assessment and 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: Active Ingredients: Homosalate 6%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Zinc Oxide 7%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Steareth-20, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Benzoic Acid. 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 delve into the main claims being made about this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Combines Mineral and Chemical Sun Filters
Cerave’s Website States: “combines mineral and chemical sun filters to help effectively reflect and absorb the sun’s damaging rays.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product indeed combines mineral and chemical sun filters. The mineral sunscreen is represented by Zinc Oxide, which works by reflecting the sun’s rays. The chemical sunscreens are represented by Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene, which work by absorbing the sun’s rays and converting them into heat that is then released from the skin.
Claim #2: The Product Delivers Instant Hydration That Lasts All Day Long
Cerave’s Website States: “delivers instant hydration that lasts all day long.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains ingredients known for their hydrating properties, such as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water to the skin, while Sodium Hyaluronate (a form of Hyaluronic Acid) can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, providing deep hydration. However, the claim that hydration lasts all day long can vary depending on individual skin types and environmental factors.
Claim #3: The Product Leaves Skin Feeling Comfortable, Velvety-Soft, and Smooth to the Touch
Cerave’s Website States: “leaves skin feeling comfortable, velvety-soft, and smooth to the touch.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several emollients (like Coco-Caprylate/Caprate and Cetearyl Alcohol) and skin-conditioning agents (like Ceramides and Niacinamide) that can help to soften and smooth the skin. However, the feeling of comfort, velvety-softness, and smoothness can be subjective and may vary from person to person.
Claim #4: The Product Won’t Clog Pores
Cerave’s Website States: “Won’t clog pores”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product does not contain any ingredients that are known to be highly comedogenic (pore-clogging). However, individual reactions can vary, and what doesn’t clog pores for one person might clog pores for another. Therefore, while the formulation is designed to be non-comedogenic, individual experiences may vary.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 7/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product’s claims about combining mineral and chemical sun filters are true, as evidenced by the presence of Zinc Oxide, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene in its ingredients. These ingredients are known to effectively reflect and absorb the sun’s damaging rays.
Claims about delivering instant hydration that lasts all day long and leaving skin feeling comfortable, velvety-soft, and smooth to the touch are possibly true. The product contains ingredients known for their hydrating and skin-conditioning properties, such as Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramides, and Niacinamide. However, these effects can vary depending on individual skin types and environmental factors.
The claim that the product won’t clog pores is also possibly true. The product does not contain any ingredients that are known to be highly comedogenic. However, individual reactions can vary, and what doesn’t clog pores for one person might clog pores for another.
Users should be mindful that while the product’s claims are largely supported by its ingredients, individual experiences may vary. The effectiveness of skincare products can be influenced by a variety of factors, including skin type, environment, and how the product is used.
It’s also 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. A product may contain a beneficial ingredient, but if it’s not present in an effective concentration, it may not provide the claimed benefits.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the claims and examine the ingredients. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true, and remember that individual experiences can vary. It’s always a good idea to patch test new products to see how your skin reacts before incorporating them into your routine.
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.
