The skincare industry can often be a confusing and overwhelming 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 to deliver miraculous results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated or even entirely false.

As a consumer, it’s crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value can often lead to disappointment, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It’s important to critically analyze the ingredients used within a product and compare them to the claims being made about the product. This can help to establish whether or not the product will truly live up to its promises.

In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Multi-Peptide + Ha Serum by The Ordinary. This product is marketed as an anti-aging serum, with a variety of claims made about its effectiveness. We will be dissecting these claims and comparing them to the ingredients used within the product to perform a truth assessment.

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

Claim #1: The product improves skin smoothness

The Ordinary’s Website States: “Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is a universal formula that combines a comprehensive array of technologies to improve skin smoothness…”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their skin-smoothing properties. Glycerin, for example, is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, helping to hydrate and smooth it. The peptides included in the formula, such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, are known to stimulate collagen production, which can improve skin texture and smoothness. Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, also helps to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, contributing to a smoother skin surface.

Claim #2: The product targets multiple signs of aging

The Ordinary’s Website States: “…and target multiple signs of aging at once.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The product contains a variety of peptides, which are known to have anti-aging benefits. For instance, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, also known as Argireline, is often referred to as “Botox in a jar” because it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 are part of a peptide complex known as Matrixyl 3000, which has been shown in studies to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone and elasticity. Additionally, the inclusion of hyaluronic acid (Sodium Hyaluronate) helps to hydrate the skin and plump up fine lines and wrinkles, which are common signs of aging.

Claim #3: The product improves the appearance of crow’s feet

The Ordinary’s Website States: “…it helps significantly improve the appearance of crow’s feet…”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: While the product contains ingredients that are known to have anti-aging benefits and could potentially improve the appearance of crow’s feet, such as the peptides and hyaluronic acid mentioned above, the effectiveness of these ingredients can vary from person to person. Factors such as the individual’s skin type, the severity of their crow’s feet, and how regularly they use the product can all influence its effectiveness. Therefore, while it’s possible that this product could improve the appearance of crow’s feet, it’s not a guarantee for every user.

Claim #4: The product improves the feel of skin elasticity and firmness

The Ordinary’s Website States: “…as well as improving the feel of skin elasticity and firmness.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The peptides in this product, particularly Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000), have been shown in studies to improve skin elasticity and firmness. Additionally, hydration from ingredients like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate can also contribute to a feeling of increased skin firmness and elasticity. Therefore, based on the ingredients in this product, it is reasonable to conclude that it could improve the feel of skin elasticity and firmness.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 8/10

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

The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + HA Serum contains a variety of ingredients known for their skin-smoothing and anti-aging properties. The product’s claims to improve skin smoothness, target multiple signs of aging, and improve the feel of skin elasticity and firmness are all supported by the known effects of these ingredients. However, the claim that the product can significantly improve the appearance of crow’s feet is less certain, as the effectiveness of the ingredients can vary from person to person.

Users should be mindful that while the product contains ingredients known to have beneficial effects on the skin, the effectiveness of these ingredients can depend on their concentration in the product. Skincare formulas list their ingredients in order of weight, but this doesn’t necessarily tell us the concentration of each ingredient. For example, a product may contain a high amount of a cheap filler ingredient and only a small amount of a more expensive active ingredient, even though the active ingredient is listed first.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and consider the ingredients and their concentrations. Be skeptical of products that make grandiose claims without providing evidence to back them up, and remember that everyone’s skin is different – 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.