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 which products will truly deliver the promised results. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, and while some may hold true, others can be greatly exaggerated or even misleading.

As a consumer, it is crucial to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value may leave you out-of-pocket and underwhelmed. It is important to critically analyse the claims made about a product, and compare them to the ingredients used within 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 analyzing the Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser by Paula’s Choice. This popular skincare brand has made several claims about this product, and we will be dissecting these claims and comparing them to the ingredients list to determine their validity.

So, let’s dive in and break down the main claims being made about the Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser:

Claim #1: The Product Gently Removes Makeup, Sunscreen, and Excess Oil

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “This pearlescent foam gently removes all traces of makeup, sunscreen and excess oil…”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: The ingredients Sodium Lauroamphoacetate and Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate are both surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or a liquid and a solid. In skincare, they are used to help water mix with oil and dirt on your skin so they can be rinsed away, effectively removing makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil.

Claim #2: The Product Improves the Look of Pores and Redness

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…while visibly improving the look of pores and redness.”

Truth Assessment: Possibly

Explanation: The ingredients list does not include any specific pore-minimizing or redness-reducing ingredients. However, the act of cleansing itself can help to clear out pores, which may improve their appearance. Additionally, some of the moisturizing ingredients, such as Glycerin and Sunflower Seed Oil, can help to soothe the skin, which may reduce redness. However, without specific anti-redness or pore-minimizing ingredients, it’s hard to definitively say that this product will improve the look of pores and redness.

Claim #3: The Product Draws Moisture into Skin for a Soft, Hydrated Complexion

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Replenishing hyaluronic acid and ceramides draw moisture into skin for a soft, hydrated complexion…”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, which means it has the ability to draw moisture from the air and hold it in the skin, leading to a more hydrated complexion. Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture. Both of these ingredients are known for their hydrating properties, so it is true that they would help to draw moisture into the skin for a soft, hydrated complexion.

Claim #4: The Product Preps Skin for the Rest of Your Routine

Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “…that’s perfectly prepped for the rest of your routine.”

Truth Assessment: True

Explanation: Cleansing is a fundamental step in any skincare routine as it removes dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin, allowing for better absorption of subsequent skincare products. Therefore, it is true that this product would prep the skin for the rest of your routine.

Assessment Verdict:

Truth Rating: 7.5/10

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

Based on the assessment of the claims made by Paula’s Choice, it seems that the product is likely to fulfill most of its roles. The product’s ability to remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil, draw moisture into the skin, and prep the skin for the rest of your routine are all supported by the ingredients listed. However, the claim about improving the look of pores and redness is less certain, as the product does not contain specific ingredients known for these effects.

Users should be mindful that while the ingredients support the claims, the effectiveness of the product also depends on the concentration of these ingredients. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, meaning the first ingredient listed makes up the largest part of the product. However, this doesn’t tell us everything about the concentration of each ingredient. For example, an ingredient could be listed towards the end but still be present in an effective concentration.

Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the claims and examine the ingredients. Be skeptical of products that make grandiose claims without the ingredients to back them up. Also, keep in mind 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.