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 fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising miraculous results. However, these claims are not always truthful and can be greatly exaggerated.
When shopping for skincare products, it is crucial to perform due diligence. Taking claims about products at face value may leave consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It is 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 Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream by La Roche-Posay. This repairing moisturizing cream has made several claims about its effectiveness and benefits. We will be dissecting these claims and comparing them to the ingredients used in the product to determine its true potential.
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/eau, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter / Shea Butter, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil/rapeseed Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Peg-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Ceramide Np, Sorbitan Tristearate, Dimethiconol, Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Chloride, Mannose, Coco-betaine, Disodium Edta, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate 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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Let’s look at the main claims being made about this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Restores the Skin’s Protective Barrier
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: “Triple repair body moisturizer for dry to very dry skin that helps restore the skin’s protective barrier”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes several components known to help restore the skin’s protective barrier. For instance, Shea Butter is a well-known emollient that can help to seal in moisture, thereby strengthening the skin’s barrier. Similarly, Ceramide NP is a type of lipid that is naturally found in the skin and plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function. By replenishing these lipids, the product can help to restore the skin’s protective barrier.
Claim #2: The Product Provides Long-Lasting, 48-Hour Hydration
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: “Provides long-lasting, 48-hour hydration”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their hydrating properties, such as Glycerin and Shea Butter. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts water to the skin, while Shea Butter is an emollient that helps to seal in moisture. However, the claim of 48-hour hydration is difficult to verify without clinical testing, as the duration of hydration can depend on various factors, including individual skin type, environmental conditions, and how the product is used.
Claim #3: The Product Replenishes Skin’s Essential Lipids
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: “Replenishes skin’s essential lipids”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains Ceramide NP, a type of lipid that is naturally found in the skin and plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function. By replenishing these lipids, the product can help to restore the skin’s protective barrier and improve its overall health and appearance.
Claim #4: The Product Reduces Dry, Rough Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: “Gentle body moisturizer is clinically shown to help reduce dry, rough skin”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several moisturizing ingredients, such as Shea Butter and Glycerin, which can help to hydrate the skin and reduce dryness. However, the claim of reducing rough skin is more difficult to verify without clinical testing, as the effectiveness can depend on various factors, including the severity of the skin roughness and how regularly the product is used.
Claim #5: The Product Rebalances the Skin Microbiome
La Roche-Posay’s Website States: “Prebiotic body cream rebalances the skin microbiome”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains Vitreoscilla Ferment, a type of bacteria that is often used in skincare products for its potential benefits to the skin microbiome. However, the science behind the skin microbiome is still relatively new, and the effectiveness of such ingredients in rebalancing the skin microbiome is not fully established. Therefore, this claim is possible, but not definitively proven.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 7/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product’s claims about restoring the skin’s protective barrier and replenishing skin’s essential lipids are backed by the presence of ingredients known for these properties, such as Shea Butter and Ceramide NP. However, claims about providing 48-hour hydration, reducing dry, rough skin, and rebalancing the skin microbiome are more difficult to verify without clinical testing and are dependent on various factors, including individual skin type, environmental conditions, and usage habits.
It’s important to note 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. For instance, some ingredients are effective even in small quantities, while others may need to be present in larger amounts to work. Therefore, the position of an ingredient on the list doesn’t necessarily reflect its effectiveness.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s crucial to do your research and not take all claims at face value. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true or lack scientific backing. Look for products with ingredients that are proven to be effective for your specific skin concerns. And finally, remember that everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
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.
