Pond’s is
undeniably one of the most popular skin care and beauty brands in the
Philippines. It is used by millions of Filipinas wanting a fairer, cleaner, and
smoother skin, more particularly on the face. In mid 2010, Unilever’s Pond’s
released a new formulation to be added to their list of best-selling facial
care products.
“Formulated with Activated Carbon and Vitamin
B3, Pond’s Pure White is a deep cleanser that exfoliates dead skin cells, and
draws out impurities and dirt from the skin’s surface, as well as deep within
pores to reveal your natural, pure-white looking skin.” The company claims
that their innovative product contains activated carbon also known as activated
charcoal, which is a form of carbon subjected to heat to increase adsorptive
powers. This main ingredient is meant to adsorb the impurities in the skin,
therefore revealing a clearer and fairer skin.
Many product
analysis and critical reviews are posted on the Internet. Some are claiming
that the said product is relatively effective compared to other Pond’s products
and more expensive brands but majority of the feedbacks are not recommending
Pond’s Pure White because of its ineffectiveness.
Online Reviews
“I love this
product! I watched a couple of reviews on youtube and purchased off of Ebay.
great cleanser. I had a really bad outbreak of acne last year that left really
bad scars on my face and this has helped faded them…”
“Cleans
thoroughly that I can skip my toner too. It’s one of the deep cleansing face
wash I have ever tried.”
“My skin is oily
and pimple prone. I use it twice a day and have found it really good. It is
worth paying. Right from the first use, the change is noticeable. You will find
your skin tone getting better day by day.
Also small amount produces good foam
to clean your face. It is best for all skin type as it cleans your face
thoroughly by removing dirt and oil.”
“I have to
admit, the scent grows on you. It's a little unpleasant at first and it made my
skin feel pretty clean. But it didn't clear away my blemishes like it promised
it would.”
On Scientific Claims
Mr. Henson Lee
Yu, a full-time instructor in the Chemistry Department of Ateneo de Manila
University, with an M.S. in Chemistry in the same university was interviewed
regarding this topic and he said, “When carbon is activated, or exposed to a
large amount of heat, it will be porous enough to adsorb a lot of things in its
immediate environment. It is the same logic when activated charcoal is used to
remove bad smell in refrigerators, among others. Just like in the commercial,
it will work only if you use the fresh charcoal but if you combine it with the
other ingredients of what makes Pond’s Pure White, the porous spaces then
become covered and used up. And upon applying on your face, the activated carbon
will just serve as abrasives.”
Pond’s Pure
White may seem really appealing to its audience because of the irony of its
appearance and its purpose but when analyzed more deeply, it seems to have
flaws all over its claims.
Sources
Activated
Carbon. (2014, March 4). Retrieved March 6, 2014, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activated_carbon
Cleansers - Ponds - Ponds Pure White Deep Cleansing Facial
Foam with Activated Carbon. (2012). Retrieved February 27, 2014, from MakeupAlley:
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=135932/Ponds-Pure-White-Deep-Cleansing-Facial-Foam-with-Activated-Carbon/Ponds/Cleansers
Skincare: Pond’s Pure White Deep Cleansing Facial Foam. (2011, January
16). Retrieved February 27, 2014, from ADVENTURES OF A MAKEUP NEWBIE:
http://adventuresofamakeupnewbie.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/skincare-ponds-pure-white-deep-cleansing-facial-foam/
Unilever. (2013). Deep Cleansing Facial Foam Cleansing.
Retrieved February 27, 2014, from Pond's:
http://www.ponds.com.ph/Products/Detail/Pure-White-Deep-Cleansing-Facial-Foam-49.aspx
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