Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Oenothera biennis oil + 8 moreStrong evidence
“Intensive Cream”
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:
urea, aloe barbadensis extract.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cera alba.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Retinyl acetateModerate evidence
This product contains retinyl acetate. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Benzyl cinnamate, Butylphenyl methylpropional + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Ethylhexyl stearate~5.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateAloe barbadensis extract~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally 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 skin
More about Aloe barbadensis extractCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 triglyceridePolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateUrea~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlyceryl oleate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Glyceryl oleateMagnesium sulfate~1.2–1.5%
Cera alba~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilOenothera biennis oil~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Oenothera biennis oilTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateHydrogenated castor oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilDistarch phosphate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholBenzyl cinnamate~0.35–0.65%
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCinnamyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citronellol~0.25–0.45%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.25–0.45%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalHydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeLimonene~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.3%
Parfum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumRetinyl acetate~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl stearate, Aloe barbadensis extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Urea, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl oleate, Magnesium sulfate, Cera alba, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Oenothera biennis oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated castor oil, Distarch phosphate, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl cinnamate, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Cinnamyl alcohol, Citronellol, Hexyl cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, Retinyl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, Bht
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Frei OelIntensive CreamYOUR PRODUCT | BaleaQ10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream | Eye CareAqualiss Nutri-Moisturizing Cream Hands and Feet | Louis WidmerRemederm Fluid Body Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | $17.39 | $7.30−$10.09 | $11.66−$5.73 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Lactic Acid | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Frei Oel - Intensive Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Urea and aloe barbadensis extract in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Oenothera biennis oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cera alba, c12-15 alkyl benzoate and hydrogenated castor oil in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl acetate 0.15% - 0.25%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 11.75£ in the United Kingdom and for 28.50$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmeticsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6
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