
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
“Pure Essence Shea Butter Hand 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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, butyrospermum parkii butter.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
“Added Shea Butter conditions while helping to maintain the firmness of your skin, working to improve the appearance of wrinkles for an anti-ageing finish.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - butyrospermum parkii butter - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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 triglycerideAn emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHelps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateOne 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 GlycerinA 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 butterA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidHelps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 distearateHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolA 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 acetateUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAn emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Oryza sativa bran oilA good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Sesamum indicum seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilAn amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArgininePlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractA plant extract that might have antibacterial effect and help neutralize free radicals
More about Centaurea cyanus flower extractEssential oil that can be irritating
More about Lavandula angustifolia flower extractA plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractA plant extract that might have an anti-inflammatory effect in skin
More about Viola tricolor extractA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateA fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholAn emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineOne 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 GlycerinAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateA 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 triglycerideAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidA silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneA 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 butterHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeA 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 oilHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolA 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 acetateAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera oilTraditionally 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 leaf extractPure 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 TocopherolA vitamin C derivative. Studies show that is might be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, but there are no studies confirming that it is effectively converted into the bioavailable form of Vitamin C in skin. It is not clear how this derivative compares in effectiveness to the topical application of bioavailable form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
More about Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitateA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumWater, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Ethylhexyl stearate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Dimethicone, Peg-100 stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitic acid, Sorbitan stearate, Trehalose, Stearic acid, Peg-150 distearate, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Butylene glycol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed oil, Oryza sativa bran oil, Sesamum indicum seed oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Arginine, 1,2-hexanediol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Centaurea cyanus flower extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower extract, Centella asiatica extract, Viola tricolor extract, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Betaine, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Palmitic acid, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Peg-100 stearate, Dimethicone, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Stearic acid, Trehalose, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Panthenol, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Cocos nucifera oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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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.
| Holika HolikaPure Essence Shea Butter Hand CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Elizabeth GrantIntensive Hand & Foot Cream | KlairsDaily Comfort Hand Cream 50g | SkintegraCica-Cera | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 58% | 57% |
| Price | $7.95 | $29.05+$21.10 | $9.09+$1.14 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 16 | 6 of 16 | 6 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Lanolin | Aspartic Acid | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Based on the ingredient list, "Holika Holika - Pure Essence Shea Butter Hand Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Holika Holika - Pure Essence Shea Butter Hand Cream ticks this box. Panthenol, arginine, betaine, glycerin and trehalose 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). Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, oryza sativa bran oil, sesamum indicum seed oil, vitis vinifera seed oil and arginine 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.
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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.
The product retails for 5.95£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 30 studies and safety reviews.
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