[Misc] Is Drunk Elephant making false claims?

Beauty Tips For Body Care
From /u/kindofstephen 's instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjpn9VlFzJj/"For a new launch a brand founder claimed their serum could '"provide the benefits of vitamin D" without having to risk the dangers of sun exposure'. These benefits were linked to a "chronopeptide". Because it's a made-up word or tradename, it was easy to find it Chronocyclin, also known as L-Glu-Hist was previously marketed as Immudilin, a possible immune regulator. The INCI name is Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole. The brand's description of its Vitamin C serum states "Chronocyclin: a chronopeptide that transforms into vitamin D, optimizing skin for a more youthful-looking complexion." This isn't true. If we look at the manufacturer's data we'll see that in reconstructed human epidermis (a cell culture in a petri dish), it was shown to increase activity of Vitamin D enzymes. "Enzymes" are the key here, they're related to the increase or decrease of Vitamin D, but they are not Vitamin D. Based on this data it could increase Vitamin D enzymes that actually reduce the vitamin's levels - but we don't know, because they don't disclose which enzyme specifically they measured. In any case, this "chronopeptide" does not transform into vitamin D, nor was it shown to increase human vitamin D levels. If they did, in order to make this claim the brand would need to go through a drug approval process because they claim it can "affect the structure or any function of the body of man". The claim as it is written, is misleading. Either intentionally or because the person creating the copy did not understand the science. Unfortunately, claims like this often go unnoticed by the US FDA. Chronically underfunded and understaffed, the US FDA's cosmetic regulations arm is reactionary - they respond to consumer reports, but they don't have the resources to actively monitor the market. Brands leverage this to their benefit. This brand in particular also warns against PEGs or polyethylene glycols while formulating their products with ingredients like Laureth-23 and Ethoxydiglycol which contain...polyethylene glycol and ethylene oxide - the building block of PEGs. This brand has a history of misleading claims, since removed after I notified their Director of R&D".
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by Ekamone