L'Occitane

Youth Hand Cream

Name: L'Occitane - Youth Hand Cream
Brand: L'Occitane

Efficacy 75/100·High irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 3 advertised claims delivered

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Product claims breakdown

Anti-aging

ADENOSINE at ~0.3–0.75% + 1 more curated active

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

ADENOSINERole: HeroMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.3–0.75%

BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTERRole: Key activeA 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~2.1–3.2%

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~4.1–6.1%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~3.7–5.5%

Helianthus annuus seed oilRole: Key activeA 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~2.8–4.2%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.4–2.1%

Glyceryl stearate seRole: Key activeUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~1–1.6%

Brassica campestris sterolsRole: Key activeHelp soften the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.3%

HexylresorcinolRole: Key activeMight be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin~0.2–0.75%

Moisturizing

5 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, caprylyl glycol.

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.

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~3.7–5.5%

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~4.1–6.1%

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILRole: Key activeA 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~2.8–4.2%

Evens skin tone

1 ingredient contributes at the levels below

Partial evidence

This product contains ingredients (hexylresorcinol) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

HEXYLRESORCINOLRole: Key activeMight be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin~0.2–0.75%

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~4.1–6.1%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~3.7–5.5%

Butyrospermum parkii butterRole: Key activeA 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~2.1–3.2%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.4–2.1%

Glyceryl stearate seRole: Key activeUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~1–1.6%

Brassica campestris sterolsRole: Key activeHelp soften the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.3%

AdenosineRole: Key activeMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.3–0.75%

Irritancy

15 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsHigh~0.35–0.85%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.3%est.

LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.25%est.

GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

CoumarinA fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%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 glycerinLow~3.7–5.5%est.

Tapioca starchUsed to create a thicker product consistencyLow~1.6–2.5%est.

Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finishLow~0.3–0.7%est.

HexylresorcinolMight be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skinLow~0.2–0.75%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.2–0.75%est.

Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.15–0.5%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeLow~0.16–0.32%est.

Comedogenic

3 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

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~2.1–3.2%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~1.4–2.1%est.

Glyceryl stearate seUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollientMed~1–1.6%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels