A new BBC TV show The Truth About Looking Good has joined forces with the University of Sheffield to conduct a trial that has unveiled that higher priced skin care products can offer the same, or worse, results as cheaper brands.

The TV show, fronted by Cherry Heeley, also revealed that the inclusion of humectants is a better indicator of a product’s efficacy, due to the moisturising properties of the ingredient.

As part of the trial, participants were split into three groups to test three different moisturizers of different price ranges, having their skin analyzed before and after use. Products put under the spotlight were, NIVEA Soft Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream (£1.60 per 100ml, £4.79 for 300ml), Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (£24 per 100ml, £30 for 125ml), and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Nourishing Moisturiser (£43 per 100ml, £13 for 30ml).

Results clarified claims, with both the mass market Nivea product and mid-range Clinique skincare products coming out on top as the most effective. While these two products were said to add moisture to the skin, the trial found that the more expensive option by Embryolisse had no effect on participants, a claim the company refutes.

A spokesperson for the brand told the Daily Mail, “The Sheffield study was conducted on nine people with no data to suggest these volunteers have abstained from using a moisturizer to maintain their healthy skin to date.
“We strongly challenge the whole validity of any test measuring “long term” effects of hydration products over just three weeks as hydrating your skin in your 20s and 30s may not be visually different or more hydrated three weeks after application of a moisturizer, however, it will help your skin over time and be healthier in your 40s and 50s when the aging process starts to accelerate.”