The skincare industry can often be a confusing and overwhelming 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 bold assertions about their skincare products, promising to deliver incredible results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.
It is therefore crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Rather than taking claims about products at face value, it’s important to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product and assess their efficacy. This can help to establish whether or not the product really will live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA For Scalp by The Ordinary. This scalp treatment has been lauded for its moisturizing properties, but does it really live up to the hype? We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used, and performing a truth assessment to establish the product’s true efficacy.
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), Squalane, C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Urea, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Isoceteth-20, Dextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, 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 Scalp Hydration
The Ordinary’s Website States: “Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA For Scalp is a light, milky formula designed to support scalp hydration…”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their hydrating properties. Squalane, a naturally occurring component in skin, is known for its excellent hydrating and skin-softening properties. Hyaluronic acid, represented here as C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, is a potent humectant that can attract and hold a large amount of moisture. Sodium PCA, Urea, and Sodium Lactate are also natural moisturizing factors that help to maintain the skin’s hydration levels. Therefore, based on these ingredients, it is true that the product can support scalp hydration.
Claim #2: The Product Eases Discomfort Caused by Dryness
The Ordinary’s Website States: “…and help ease discomfort caused by dryness.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Dryness often causes discomfort, and by providing hydration, this product can help to alleviate such discomfort. Ingredients like Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, and natural moisturizing factors (like Sodium PCA, Urea, and Sodium Lactate) not only hydrate the skin but also help to maintain its moisture balance, thereby preventing dryness and the associated discomfort. Hence, this claim is true.
Claim #3: The Product Supports the Scalp’s Barrier
The Ordinary’s Website States: “this moisturizing serum helps support the scalp’s barrier…”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The scalp’s barrier function is crucial for maintaining the health and hydration of the scalp. Squalane, present in this product, is known to support the skin’s barrier function due to its emollient properties. Additionally, the natural moisturizing factors present in the product (like Sodium PCA, Urea, and Sodium Lactate) also contribute to maintaining the integrity of the skin’s barrier by providing necessary hydration. Thus, this claim is true.
Claim #4: The Product Does Not Stick to Your Hair or Weigh It Down
The Ordinary’s Website States: “…without sticking to your hair or weighing it down.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product’s non-sticky, non-heavy effect on hair cannot be determined solely from the ingredients list. While it contains lightweight ingredients like Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid, the overall feel and effect on hair would also depend on the formulation and the concentrations of the ingredients used. Therefore, without actual use or further information, this claim can only be assessed as possibly true.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The Ordinary’s product claims to support scalp hydration, ease discomfort caused by dryness, support the scalp’s barrier, and not stick to your hair or weigh it down. Based on the ingredients listed, the first three claims are likely to be true. The product contains several hydrating ingredients known for their beneficial effects on the skin, such as Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium PCA, Urea, and Sodium Lactate. These ingredients can indeed support scalp hydration, ease discomfort caused by dryness, and support the scalp’s barrier.
However, the claim that the product does not stick to your hair or weigh it down cannot be fully verified without actual use or further information. While the product contains lightweight ingredients, the overall feel and effect on hair would also depend on the formulation and the concentrations of the ingredients used. Therefore, this claim is assessed as possibly true, which brings down the overall truth rating slightly.
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, but this doesn’t tell us everything. The concentration of each ingredient also matters. A product might list a beneficial ingredient, but if it’s not present in an effective concentration, it might not provide the claimed benefits.
Remember, not all claims made by skincare products are accurate or truthful. Be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true, and always check the ingredient list. Look for ingredients that are known to provide the claimed benefits, and be mindful of their order in the list. The higher up an ingredient is, the higher its concentration in the product. However, without knowing the exact concentrations, it’s impossible to fully assess a product’s effectiveness based on the ingredient list alone.
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.
