The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products on the market, 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 transformative results that can sometimes be greatly exaggerated. This can leave consumers feeling out-of-pocket and underwhelmed when the product fails to live up to its lofty promises.
It is therefore crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Rather than taking claims about products at face value, it is important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product and their potential effects on the skin. This can help to establish a more accurate understanding of what the product can realistically achieve.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Multi-Peptide Serum For Hair Density by The Ordinary. We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used within the product, 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: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caffeine, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Chloride, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Dextran, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin. 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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So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Supports the Scalp
The Ordinary’s Website States: “Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a concentrated leave-in formula designed to support the scalp.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes several components that are known to support scalp health. For instance, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 is a peptide that can help strengthen hair and improve scalp health. Similarly, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 has been shown to promote hair growth by stimulating the proteins in the scalp. Therefore, based on the ingredients, this claim is true.
Claim #2: The Product Gives Thicker, Denser, Fuller-Looking Hair
The Ordinary’s Website States: “The formula is designed to give you thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains ingredients that may contribute to the appearance of thicker and fuller hair. For instance, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 are known to promote hair growth, which could potentially lead to denser hair. However, the effectiveness of these ingredients can vary from person to person and depends on various factors such as the individual’s hair type, overall health, and the regularity of product use. Therefore, while the ingredients suggest that the product could potentially lead to thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair, the claim can only be possibly true.
Claim #3: The Product is Lightweight
The Ordinary’s Website States: “The formula is lightweight.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients that are known for their lightweight properties. For instance, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, and Glycerin are all humectants that can provide hydration without adding heaviness to the hair. Therefore, based on the ingredients, this claim is true.
Claim #4: The Product Offers a Combination of Peptide Technologies
The Ordinary’s Website States: “The formula offers a combination of peptide technologies.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, which are both peptides known for their hair growth-promoting properties. Therefore, this claim is true as the product does indeed offer a combination of peptide technologies.
Claim #5: The Product Contains Plant-Based Extracts
The Ordinary’s Website States: “The formula includes a series of plant-based extracts.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several plant-based extracts such as Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract. These extracts are known for their various beneficial properties for hair health. Therefore, this claim is true.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density seems to be largely truthful in its claims. The product contains a variety of ingredients that are known to support scalp health, promote hair growth, and provide lightweight hydration. However, the claim that the product can give thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair is only possibly true as the effectiveness of the ingredients can vary from person to person.
Users should be mindful that while the product contains ingredients that can potentially lead to denser hair, the results are not guaranteed and can depend on various factors such as the individual’s hair type, overall health, and the regularity of product use. Therefore, it’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that results may vary.
This assessment assumes that all ingredients are used in effective quantities. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, meaning the ingredients used in the highest quantities are listed first. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the ingredients listed first are the most effective. Some ingredients are effective even in small quantities, while others may need to be used in larger amounts to be effective.
Remember, when evaluating a product, it’s important to not only look at the ingredient list but also consider the concentration of the ingredients. A product may claim to contain a certain beneficial ingredient, but if it’s listed at the end of the ingredient list, it may not be present in a high enough concentration to be effective. Also, be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true. If a product promises instant or miraculous results, it’s likely that the claim is exaggerated.
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.