ESPA

ESPA Neroli & Mandarin Hand Balm

Name: ESPA - Neroli & Mandarin Hand Balm
Brand: ESPA

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh

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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

13 ingredients credited for this claim

Good support

What the product description says

“A deeply nourishing balm to soothe, protect and strength dry skin, making it ideal for hard-working hands.”

Source: Espa UK

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.

Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~1.8–2.7%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~3.8–5.7%

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.15–0.55%

Hydrolyzed jojoba estersKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.8%

Jojoba estersKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~1.1–1.7%

Rosa canina fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating~1.4–2%

Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~0.55–1.3%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.9–5.9%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~2.2–3.4%

Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that softens the skin~1.5–2.2%

Glyceryl stearate citrate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin~2.1–3.1%

Moringa oleifera seed oil· EmollientEffect: LowA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid~0.1–0.4%

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

13 strong irritants: Limonene, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 11 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 21 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.45–1%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.85%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~0.35–0.75%est.

Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~0.2–0.75%est.

Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil—High~0.15–0.65%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.55%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.15–0.55%est.

Citrus aurantium amara peel oil—High~0.15–0.55%est.

Lavandula angustifolia oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.15–0.55%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~0.15–0.55%est.

Citrus aurantium amara flower oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~3.8–5.7%est.

Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~1.4–2%est.

Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~1.1–1.7%est.

Sodium stearoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.45–1.05%est.

Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.25–0.5%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.

Moringa oleifera seed oilA plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acidMedium~0.1–0.4%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

3 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

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 radicals3/5~1.8–2.7%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 effect3/5~0.55–1.3%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.2–3.4%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycerin~3.9–5.9%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~3.8–5.7%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride

Cetearyl alcohol~2.2–3.4%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol

Glyceryl stearate citrate~2.1–3.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin

More about Glyceryl stearate citrate

Butyrospermum parkii butter~1.8–2.7%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A 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

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter

Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~1.5–2.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

An emollient that softens the skin

More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil

Rosa canina fruit oil~1.4–2%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil

Jojoba esters~1.1–1.7%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters

Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Theobroma cacao seed butter~0.55–1.3%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Theobroma cacao seed butter

Limonene~0.45–1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene

Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.45–1.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearoyl glutamate

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.35–0.85%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil

Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.35–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus nobilis peel oil

Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.35–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed jojoba esters

Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid

Citrus limon peel oil~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil

Tocopherol~0.2–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

Pure 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

More about Tocopherol

Dehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Dehydroacetic acid

Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil

Linalool~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool

Parfum~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Citrus aurantium amara peel oil~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus aurantium amara peel oil

Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Lavandula angustifolia oil

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

AntibacterialAnti-oxidation

A 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 skin

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil

Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.55%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil

Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.1–0.45%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oil

Geraniol~0.1–0.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol

Citral~0.05–0.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral

Moringa oleifera seed oil~0.1–0.4%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid

More about Moringa oleifera seed oil

Citric acid~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Jojoba esters, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Limonene, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Benzoic acid, Citrus limon peel oil, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic acid, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil, Linalool, Parfum, Citrus aurantium amara peel oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Geraniol, Citral, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide