The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers, with a myriad of products each boasting a range of health claims. Manufacturers often make bold statements about the benefits of their skincare products, but these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated or even misleading. This can leave consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed, highlighting the importance of due diligence when shopping for such products. Taking claims about products at face value without proper investigation can lead to disappointment.

In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Moisturizing Cream by Cerave. We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used within the product, and performing a truth assessment. This will help us establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.

So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about this Moisturizing Cream and break them down:

Claim #1: The Product Helps Restore Your Skin’s Natural Barrier

Cerave’s Website States: “Helps restore your skin’s natural barrier, helping to keep moisture in and harmful elements out.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP), which are lipids (fats) that are naturally present in the skin and play a crucial role in forming the skin’s barrier and helping the skin retain moisture. They also help protect the skin against environmental aggressors like irritants and pollution. By replenishing these essential lipids with topical application, the product can indeed help restore the skin’s natural barrier.

Claim #2: The Product Helps Condition the Skin

Cerave’s Website States: “Helps condition the skin, which improves softness and flexibility.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains emollients like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Cetearyl Alcohol, which soften and smooth the skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells with lipids, thereby improving the skin’s texture and flexibility. Glycerin, a humectant, also helps condition the skin by attracting water to the upper layer of the skin, making it feel softer and more supple.

Claim #3: The Product Helps Maintain Skin’s Moisture Balance

Cerave’s Website States: “Essential for maintaining skin’s moisture balance.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, which attract and hold onto water, helping to hydrate the skin and maintain its moisture balance. It also contains emollients and occlusives like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, and Petrolatum, which help seal in this moisture and prevent it from evaporating, further helping to maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

Claim #4: The Product Helps Give Skin a Smooth, Plump Texture

Cerave’s Website States: “Helps give skin a smooth, plump texture.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains humectants like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, which can plump up the skin by attracting and holding onto water. It also contains emollients like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Cetearyl Alcohol, which can smooth the skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells with lipids. Therefore, the product can indeed help give the skin a smooth, plump texture.

Claim #5: The Product is Formulated to Relieve Dry, Flaky, or Irritated Skin

Cerave’s Website States: “Formulated to relieve dry, flaky, or irritated skin.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains moisturizing ingredients like Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which can help relieve dry and flaky skin by hydrating it and helping it retain moisture. It also contains ceramides, which can help relieve irritated skin by restoring the skin’s natural barrier and protecting it against irritants. Therefore, the product is indeed formulated to relieve dry, flaky, or irritated skin.

Claim #6: The Product Creates a Physical Barrier on the Skin’s Surface

Cerave’s Website States: “Creates a physical barrier on the skin’s surface that helps trap moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL).”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains occlusives like Petrolatum, which form a physical barrier on the skin’s surface that helps trap moisture and prevent it from evaporating, thereby preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Therefore, the product can indeed create a physical barrier on the skin’s surface.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 9/10

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

The product’s claims are largely supported by the ingredients it contains. Ceramides, emollients, humectants, and occlusives are all known to provide the benefits that the product claims, such as restoring the skin’s natural barrier, conditioning the skin, maintaining the skin’s moisture balance, giving the skin a smooth, plump texture, relieving dry, flaky, or irritated skin, and creating a physical barrier on the skin’s surface. However, it’s important to note that individual results can vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Users should be mindful that while the product contains ingredients known to provide these benefits, the effectiveness of these ingredients can depend on their concentrations. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, with the highest concentrations listed first. However, this doesn’t tell us everything about the formula, as ingredients can be effective at different concentrations, and some ingredients can be effective even in small amounts.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredients. Be skeptical of claims that sound too good to be true, and be aware that some companies may exaggerate the benefits of their products. Always do your own research and consult with a dermatologist if you have any concerns.

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.