What's In My Jar
Neal's Yard Remedies Citrus Hand Softener
Neal's Yard Remedies

Neal's Yard Remedies Citrus Hand Softener

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol + 11 more
Works
What the product description says
“Massage this fragrant balm into hardworking hands to deliver a deeply nourishing moisture boost where it's needed most.”
Source: Neal's yard remedies

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, sodium hyaluronate.

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, cera alba.

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~4–6.1%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3–4.5%
Cera albaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighForms 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~2.6–3.9%
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~2.1–3.1%
Persea gratissima oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function~1.7–2.5%
Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~1.3–1.9%
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~1–1.6%
Borago officinalis seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration~0.35–0.85%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.45%
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~0.1–0.45%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.5–1.2%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderEffect: LowTraditionally 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~0.2–0.7%
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~0.1–0.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
7 strong irritants: Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil, Citrus limon peel oil + 5 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil—High~0.2–0.75%est.
Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Citrus sinensis peel oil expressed—High~0.1–0.5%est.
Citrus paradisi peel oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Cera albaForms 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 allergenMedium~2.6–3.9%est.
Persea gratissima oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier functionMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Levulinic acidHelps stabilize a product formulationMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
4 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 radicals3/5~2.1–3.1%est.
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~1.3–1.9%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 effect3/5~1–1.6%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3–4.5%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~4–6.1%
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
Cetearyl alcohol~3–4.5%
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
Cera alba~2.6–3.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

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 alba
Butyrospermum parkii butter~2.1–3.1%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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
Persea gratissima oil~1.7–2.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function

More about Persea gratissima oil
Sucrose cocoate~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Sucrose cocoate
Cocos nucifera oil~1.3–1.9%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Theobroma cacao seed butter~1–1.6%
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
Cetearyl olivate~0.8–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Cetearyl olivate
Glyceryl stearate~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Sorbitan olivate~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan olivate
Borago officinalis seed oil~0.35–0.85%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration

More about Borago officinalis seed oil
Levulinic acid~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps stabilize a product formulation

More about Levulinic acid
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

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 leaf juice powder
Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil
Citrus limon peel oil~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil
Sodium levulinate~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Citrus sinensis peel oil expressed~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus sinensis peel oil expressed
Tocopherol~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

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
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Citrus paradisi peel oil~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus paradisi peel oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.45%
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
Citric acid~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Terpineol~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Terpineol
Limonene~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

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

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Citral~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Citral~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Cera alba, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Persea gratissima oil, Sucrose cocoate, Cocos nucifera oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Cetearyl olivate, Glyceryl stearate, Sorbitan olivate, Borago officinalis seed oil, Levulinic acid, Potassium sorbate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Cinnamomum camphora leaf oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Sodium levulinate, Citrus sinensis peel oil expressed, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Citric acid, Terpineol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citral

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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)50 gramsPrice as of 11/1 03:51 GMT
≈ $22.75
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🇬🇧 Neal's yard remedies (UK)50 g
≈ $22.75
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🇨🇦 Amazon CA (CA)50 GramsPrice as of 11/1 09:18 GMT
≈ $23.82
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🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)50 Grams
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Neal's Yard RemediesCitrus Hand SoftenerYOUR PRODUCTLaboratoires de BiarritzAlga Cicosa Organic Reparative Hand CreamPrimaSkin Therapy 250mg CBD Ultra-Rich Body ButterDionisGoat Milk Beauty Balm
Match—41%40%40%
Price—$11.94$32.00$13.60
Shared key ingredients—7 of 95 of 95 of 9
Key difference—Linoleic AcidCannabis Sativa Seed OilJojoba Oil
Irritancy High Medium High Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trialncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuringncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Dermatology News - Commentary: Borage Seed Oilmdedge.com
  5. 5
    Undershirts coated with borage oil alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in childrenncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Neal's Yard Remedies Citrus Hand Softener
Neal's Yard RemediesCitrus Hand Softener
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.