Aesop

Hand Balm Duo

Name: Aesop - Hand Balm Duo
Brand: Aesop

Efficacy 75/100·High irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

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Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

9 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Good evidence

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cocos nucifera oil, glycine soja oil.

LACTIC ACIDRole: Under-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.3–0.55%

BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTERRole: Under-dosedA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.5–0.7%

COCOS NUCIFERA OILRole: Key activeAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~0.4–0.6%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.45–0.7%

GLYCINE SOJA OILRole: Key activeA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.~0.35–0.65%

PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS SEEDRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTERRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.45–0.7%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Key activePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.5–0.8%

TRITICUM VULGARE GERM OILRole: Key activeA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).~0.2–0.4%

Irritancy

32 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 32 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

AromaAn unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredientsHigh~26–31%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~1–1.2%est.

Citrus nobilis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.8–1.15%est.

Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.6–0.9%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis oilUsed as a fragrance. It can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.5–0.7%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.65%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skinHigh~0.45–0.65%est.

Citrus grandis seed extract—High~0.35–0.65%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

CoumarinA fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

AromaAn unspecified blend of fragrant irritating ingredientsHigh~0.45–0.65%est.

Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.35–0.65%est.

Citrus aurantium amara flower oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.65%est.

Citrus grandis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.3–0.5%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.35%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

FarnesolAdded to create a nice product smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

Ceteth-20Helps water and oil mix togetherLow~1.6–1.9%est.

Macadamia ternifolia seed oilPlant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredientsLow~1.3–1.5%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinLow~0.55–0.8%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesLow~0.5–0.8%est.

Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Low~0.35–0.65%est.

Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Low~0.3–0.55%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Benzoic acidA preservativeLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeLow~0.3–0.6%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.35–0.65%est.

Comedogenic

13 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenicHigh~1.4–1.8%est.

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicalsHigh~0.6–0.9%est.

Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effectHigh~0.55–0.8%est.

Triticum vulgare germ oilA good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).High~0.45–0.7%est.

Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenicHigh~0.4–0.6%est.

Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effectHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~1.9–2.3%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~0.5–0.75%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMed~0.5–0.8%est.

Glycine soja oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.Med~0.35–0.65%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

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Hand Balm Duo

Product claims breakdown

Ingredients

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