The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products available, each boasting a myriad of health claims, it can be difficult to discern which products are genuinely beneficial and which are simply marketing hype. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising everything from reversing the signs of aging to curing acne. However, these claims are not always truthful and can be greatly exaggerated.
As consumers, it is crucial to perform due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value may leave consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It’s important to look beyond the marketing and examine the ingredients used within the product. This can provide a more accurate picture of the product’s potential effectiveness and whether it will live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Intensive Repair Cream by Paula’s Choice. 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.
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: Water, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ceramide NG, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Lentil Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Tribehenin, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tridecyl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, 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
Archive courtesy of Archive.org.
So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about this intensive moisturizer and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Deeply Hydrates Dry Skin
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Deeply hydrates dry skin…”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes several known moisturizing agents such as Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Jojoba Seed Oil. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated. Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, is known for its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, providing deep hydration. Jojoba Seed Oil is an emollient that helps to lock in moisture, preventing dryness.
Claim #2: The Product Softens the Appearance of Wrinkles
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…softening the appearance of wrinkles…”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains Retinol and Peptides (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1), which are known to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that can stimulate the production of new skin cells and help to fade dark spots and fine lines. Peptides are small proteins that can penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Claim #3: The Product Increases Firmer-Looking Skin
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…visibly increasing firmer-looking skin.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Ingredients like Retinol, Peptides, and Niacinamide in the product can help to improve skin’s firmness. Retinol can stimulate collagen production, which is essential for skin firmness. Peptides, as mentioned earlier, can also stimulate collagen production. Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, can improve skin elasticity, enhancing its firmness.
Claim #4: The Product Revives the Skin’s Barrier
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…revive the skin’s barrier…”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains Ceramide NG and Linoleic Acid, which are known to strengthen the skin’s barrier. Ceramides are lipids that help to form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture. Linoleic Acid is an essential fatty acid that helps to maintain the health of the skin’s barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental damage.
Claim #5: The Product Leads to a Beautiful, Healthy, Younger-Looking Glow
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…leading to a beautiful, healthy, younger-looking glow.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients that can improve skin’s appearance and give it a healthy glow, such as Retinol, Niacinamide, and various plant extracts. However, the “glow” is subjective and can vary from person to person. It also depends on other factors such as the user’s skin type, lifestyle, and how they use the product.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Highly Likely
The product’s claims of deeply hydrating dry skin, softening the appearance of wrinkles, increasing firmer-looking skin, and reviving the skin’s barrier are all backed by the presence of scientifically proven ingredients. However, the claim of leading to a beautiful, healthy, younger-looking glow is subjective and can vary from person to person. Therefore, the truth rating is 8 out of 10.
While the product contains ingredients known for their beneficial effects on the skin, it’s important to remember that the effectiveness of these ingredients largely depends on their concentration in the product. Skincare formulas list their ingredients in order of weight, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect the concentration of each ingredient. For instance, an ingredient listed towards the end of the list may still be present in an effective concentration.
Users should be mindful of this and also consider their skin type and lifestyle when deciding whether this product is right for them. For instance, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to patch test the product first to ensure it doesn’t cause irritation. If you have a busy lifestyle, you may prefer a product that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.
Remember, not all skincare products work the same way for everyone. It’s always a good idea to do your own research, read reviews, and consult with a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns. Also, be skeptical of products that make grandiose claims without any scientific evidence to back them up. A good rule of thumb is if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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.
