While we had mentioned this in one of our Beauty Brains polls, we never discussed the full story. According to a study done by Consumer Reports, you are wasting your money if you buy expensive wrinkle reducing face creams. According to CR, there is no connection between price and effectiveness.
Of course, it’s not surprising to the Beauty Brains. Since we know the raw materials that go into both ultra expensive and ultra cheap beauty products, we can sincerely report retail price doesn’t always reflect formula quality.
Most interesting about the study was the conclusion that no cream was noticeably effective. Some had slight improvements but none were deemed worth it. In lab studies, CR found the most effective product was Olay Regenerist (Enhancing Lotion, Perfecting Cream and Daily Regenerating Serum).
One surprise was a $335 product scored among the lowest of all the products tried.
The full list (in order of performance) is as follows.
Best to Worst – Wrinkle Reducing Creams
1. Olay Regnerist : $57
2. Lancome Paris Renergie: $176
3. RoC Retin-Ox+ : $135
4. Neutogena Visibly Firm Night Cream w Active Copper : $38
5. Avon Anew Alternative Age Treatment : $64
6. L’Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Wrinkle De-Crease : $40
7. StiVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate : $135
8. La Prarie Cellular : $335
9. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle : $40
Consumer Reports and Beauty Products
Now, we here at the Beauty Brains love magazines like Consumer Reports. We completely support what they are trying to do. However, in some ways their results are suspect. It is not as good as peer reviewed research. Consider this true story that happened to one of the Beauty Brains.
Years ago, Consumer Reports did a study comparing a large number of shampoo formulas. They tested properties like foam, detangling, conditioning, etc. Then all the products were rated.
Coincidentally, two formulas that one Beauty Brain had created were in the study. The only difference between these 2 formulas was the color, the fragrance, a couple of “claims” ingredients and the name. In all other ways the formulas were the same.
In the study however, the formulas scored differently. One product was called a great value while the other was rated only mediocre. If they tested them thoroughly, this should not have happened. Ever since then, I’ve always been a bit skeptical of Consumer Reports studies.
Beauty Brains’ bottom line
While Consumer Reports has noble intentions, you shouldn’t always rely on their conclusions. They are not experts in the product areas that they test so they’re apt to make mistakes. Having said that, we agree with the results of this particular study…don’t waste your money on high priced wrinkle creams. They aren’t worth it.