The skincare industry can often be a confusing place for consumers. With a plethora of products to choose from, 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. However, these claims can sometimes be greatly exaggerated, leaving consumers out-of-pocket and underwhelmed.
It is therefore of utmost importance to exercise due diligence when shopping for skincare products. Taking claims about products at face value can often lead to disappointment. It is crucial to delve deeper into the ingredients used within the product and analyze their efficacy in relation to the claims being made.
In this article, we will be critically analyzing the ‘Skin Restoring Moisturizer With SPF 50’ by Paula’s Choice. We will be examining the claims made about this product, comparing them to the ingredients used, 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: Water, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Silica, Glycerin, Avobenzone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Powder , Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Mahonia Aquifolium Root Extract , Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Sarcosine, Capryloyl Glycine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate , Hexylene Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 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
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So, without further ado, let’s look at the main claims being made about this product and break them down:
Claim #1: The Product Provides Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protection
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Broad spectrum SPF 50 helps prevent premature aging while helping to improve skin health and hydration.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The ingredients list includes Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, and Avobenzone, all of which are chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays to protect the skin. These ingredients cover both UVA and UVB rays, thus providing broad spectrum protection. The SPF 50 rating indicates that the product can block 98% of UVB rays, which is a high level of protection.
Claim #2: The Product Helps Prevent Premature Aging
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Broad spectrum SPF 50 helps prevent premature aging while helping to improve skin health and hydration.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: Sun exposure is a major cause of premature skin aging, including wrinkles and age spots. By providing broad spectrum SPF 50 protection, the product helps to prevent this damage. Additionally, the product contains antioxidants like Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, which can neutralize harmful free radicals that contribute to aging.
Claim #3: The Product Helps Improve Skin Health and Hydration
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Broad spectrum SPF 50 helps prevent premature aging while helping to improve skin health and hydration.”
Truth Assessment: True
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their hydrating and skin-soothing properties. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin, while Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Allantoin are known for their soothing and healing properties. Niacinamide can improve skin barrier function and increase skin hydration. Therefore, these ingredients can contribute to improved skin health and hydration.
Claim #4: The Product Leaves a Soft, Dewy Finish
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Leaves a soft, dewy finish.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several emollients and humectants, such as Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Butylene Glycol, which can help to soften the skin and provide a dewy finish. However, the final feel and appearance of the product can also depend on other factors, such as the specific formulation and how it interacts with individual skin types.
Claim #5: The Product Provides Superior Anti-Aging Benefits
Paula’s Choice’s Website States: “Provides superior anti-aging benefits.”
Truth Assessment: Possibly
Explanation: The product contains several ingredients known for their anti-aging benefits, such as Niacinamide, Tocopherol, and Coffea Arabica Seed Extract. These ingredients can help to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and protect against environmental damage. However, the term “superior” is subjective and may depend on individual skin responses and comparisons with other products.
Assessment Verdict:
Truth Rating: 8/10
Overall likelihood for product to make good on its claims: Highly likely
The product’s claims about providing broad spectrum SPF 50 protection, preventing premature aging, and improving skin health and hydration are all supported by the listed ingredients. The ingredients are known for their sunscreen, anti-aging, and hydrating properties. However, the claims about leaving a soft, dewy finish and providing superior anti-aging benefits are more subjective and may depend on individual skin responses and comparisons with other products.
Users should be mindful that while the ingredients listed are known for their benefits, the effectiveness of the product also depends on the concentrations of these ingredients. In skincare formulas, ingredient lists are in weight order, but this doesn’t tell us everything about the concentrations of individual ingredients. For example, a product could contain a high amount of a cheap filler ingredient and only a small amount of a beneficial ingredient, but the beneficial ingredient could still be listed first if it’s heavier.
Remember, a good way to identify false or grossly exaggerated claims is to look at the ingredients list. If a product claims to have a certain benefit but doesn’t contain any ingredients known for that benefit, or if the beneficial ingredients are listed towards the end of the ingredients list (indicating low concentrations), be skeptical. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, and what works well for one person might not work as well 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.
