Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing16 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“With the addition of organic cocoa butter, macadamia, baobab oil, and argan oil, the cream keeps your skin moisturised for up to 24 hours. *”
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:
dextran, 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: helianthus annuus seed oil, ricinus communis seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2
Anti-aging5 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“With a 3-Peptide Complex to help reduce the look of fine lines, and gardenia stem cells and sodium hyaluronate to enhance your skin’s plumpness, the formula works to visibly plump fine lines and wrinkles after just 30 days of use.”
This product contains caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2. These ingredients 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (gardenia jasminoides meristem cell culture) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Boswellia carterii oil, Boswellia neglecta resin oil + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilBehenyl olivate~4.3–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octyldodecyl olivate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinGlycine soja oil~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilTheobroma cacao seed butter~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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 butterCetearyl glucoside~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl olivate~1.2–1.4%
Sorbitan olivate~0.95–1.15%
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilVitis vinifera seed oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilAdansonia digitata seed oil~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Adansonia digitata seed oilAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.5–0.75%
- 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 leaf juice powderRicinus communis seed 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 Ricinus communis seed oilSodium hyaluronate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCurcuma longa root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractCaprooyl tetrapeptide-3~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Caprooyl tetrapeptide-3Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2Palmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5Gardenia jasminoides meristem cell culture~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stem cell extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Gardenia jasminoides meristem cell cultureBoswellia carterii oil~0.3–0.55%
Boswellia neglecta resin oil~0.3–0.6%
Commiphora confusa resin oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.3–0.5%
- 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 oilCitrus bergamia peel oil expressed~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilCommiphora myrrha oil~0.25–0.5%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 oilTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDextran~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the most upper layer of the skin. Derived from sugar
More about DextranLevulinic acid~0.25–0.45%
Sodium levulinate~0.25–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.2–0.35%
Citral~0.15–0.3%
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Farnesol~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Behenyl olivate, Octyldodecyl olivate, Glycerin, Glycine soja oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Adansonia digitata seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Ricinus communis seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Curcuma longa root extract, Caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Gardenia jasminoides meristem cell culture, Boswellia carterii oil, Boswellia neglecta resin oil, Commiphora confusa resin oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Citrus bergamia peel oil expressed, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Commiphora myrrha oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Dextran, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate, Potassium sorbate, Dehydroacetic acid, Citral, Citronellol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Unknown
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Neal's Yard Remedies - Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying Cream" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Dextran, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate 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). Emollients in this formulation (caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, glycine soja oil, theobroma cacao seed butter, vitis vinifera seed oil and helianthus annuus seed oil) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2 0.35% - 0.65%, palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.35% - 0.60% and caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 0.50% - 0.70%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
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.
Price
The product retails from 50.15£ up to 59.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 55.00$ 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 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.