The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a myriad of products available, each boasting a plethora of health claims, it can be challenging to discern fact from fiction. Manufacturers often make grandiose claims about their skincare products, promising miraculous results. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.
It is therefore crucial to perform due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value may not always yield the desired results. It is essential to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product and understand their efficacy. This will help in making an informed decision about whether or not the product will live up to its claims.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the Power Berry Serum by Paula’s Choice. This antioxidant serum has been making waves in the skincare industry, with the brand making several claims about its benefits. We will be dissecting these claims and comparing them to the ingredients used within the product to perform a truth assessment. This will help us 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: Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Emblica Officinalis (Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract , Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Acerola Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seaberry) Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis (Magnolia) Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Plinia Cauliflora (Jabuticaba) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Alpha-Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica (Ivy Gourd) Fruit Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Mannitol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin 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
Archive courtesy of Archive.org.
So, let’s delve into the main claims being made about the Power Berry Serum and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Defends Skin from Aging Free Radicals
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “13 richly pigmented berries with high polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidant properties, work together to defend skin from aging free radicals.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains a variety of fruit extracts, many of which are known to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. For example, Emblica Officinalis (Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, and Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract are all known to contain high levels of antioxidants. Therefore, it is plausible that this product can help defend the skin from aging free radicals.
Claim #2: The Product Prevents Future Skin Damage
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “13 richly pigmented berries with high polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidant properties, work together… to prevent future damage.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The antioxidants in the fruit extracts may help to prevent future skin damage by neutralizing free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and damage to the skin. However, the effectiveness of this prevention can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including the user’s skin type, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. Therefore, while it is possible that this product can help prevent future skin damage, it is not guaranteed.
Claim #3: The Product Revitalizes, Hydrates, and Soothes Compromised Skin
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Sea buckthorn, raspberry, elderberry and squalane revitalize, hydrate and soothe compromised skin.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their skin-soothing and hydrating properties. For example, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seaberry) Fruit Extract, also known as sea buckthorn, is known for its skin revitalizing properties. Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract and Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract (elderberry) are also known to have skin-soothing properties. Squalane is a highly-effective emollient and natural antioxidant that can deeply hydrate and protect the skin. Therefore, it is plausible that this product can revitalize, hydrate, and soothe compromised skin.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Likely
The product’s claims of defending skin from aging free radicals and revitalizing, hydrating, and soothing compromised skin are backed by the presence of ingredients known for these properties. However, the claim of preventing future skin damage is less certain, as it depends on a variety of factors, including the user’s skin type, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. Users should be mindful of this when considering the product.
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, meaning the first ingredient listed is the most abundant in the formula and the last is the least. However, this doesn’t tell us everything about the concentration of each ingredient. For example, a product could contain a high amount of an ineffective ingredient and a low amount of an effective one.
Remember, when evaluating skincare products, it’s important to look beyond the marketing claims and examine the ingredient list. 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.
