The skincare industry can often be a maze of confusion for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each boasting a myriad of health claims, it can be challenging to discern the truth from the marketing hype. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising transformative results that can sometimes be greatly exaggerated or even entirely unfounded.

It is therefore crucial for consumers to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Blindly accepting the claims made about a product can result in disappointment, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It is essential to critically analyze the ingredients of a product and compare them with the claims made about the product to establish its true efficacy.

In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Hydrating Toner from the brand Cerave. We will be assessing the claims made about this facial toner and comparing them to the ingredients used within the product. This truth assessment will help us determine whether or not the product can truly live up to its claims.

So, without further ado, let’s delve into the main claims being made about this product and break them down:

Claim #1: The Product Restores the Skin’s Natural Protective Barrier

CeraVe’s Website States: “CeraVe Hydrating Toner, with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, helps restore the skin’s natural protective barrier for improved hydration.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients list includes ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP), which are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture. They also help the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is known to strengthen the skin’s barrier, improve skin texture, and balance oil production. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, further supporting the skin’s barrier function. Therefore, based on these ingredients, the claim is true.

Claim #2: The Product Helps Visibly Smooth and Calm Skin

CeraVe’s Website States: “CeraVe Hydrating Toner… helps visibly smooth and calm skin.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Niacinamide, present in the formula, is known for its skin-soothing properties. It can help reduce redness, blotchiness, and the appearance of enlarged pores, leading to smoother skin. Glycerin, a humectant, can also contribute to skin smoothness by attracting moisture to the skin and ensuring it stays hydrated. Therefore, the claim that the product helps visibly smooth and calm skin is true.

Claim #3: The Product is Non-Comedogenic, Alcohol-Free, Oil-Free, Astringent-Free, and Fragrance-Free

CeraVe’s Website States: “The formula is non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, oil-free, astringent-free, and fragrance-free.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The term non-comedogenic means that the product is designed not to clog pores, which can lead to acne. While there is no regulatory standard for this term, the formula does not contain any commonly known pore-clogging ingredients. The ingredients list does not include any alcohols, oils, astringents, or fragrances, which supports the claim that the product is free of these substances. Therefore, this claim is true.

Claim #4: The Product Removes Leftover Residue While Helping Maintain the Skin’s Moisture Barrier

CeraVe’s Website States: “CeraVe Hydrating Toner… helps to remove leftover residue while helping maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: While the product contains ingredients that can help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, there are no specific ingredients listed that are known for their cleansing or residue-removing properties. However, toners in general are often used to remove leftover residue after cleansing, so it’s possible that the product could have this effect. Therefore, this claim is possibly true.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

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

The product’s claims about restoring the skin’s natural protective barrier, visibly smoothing and calming the skin, and being free of certain substances are all supported by the ingredients list. The claim about removing leftover residue is less certain, as there are no specific ingredients known for their cleansing properties. However, the nature of toners suggests that it could still have this effect.

Users should be mindful that while the ingredients support the claims, the effectiveness of the product will also depend on the concentrations of these ingredients. Skincare formulas list ingredients in order of weight, but this doesn’t tell us everything about their concentrations. For example, an ingredient listed towards the end of the list could still be present in an effective concentration.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the claims and check the ingredients list. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true, and remember that everyone’s skin is different – what works for one person might not work for another. Always patch test new products to ensure they don’t cause irritation.

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.