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Neal's Yard Remedies Mahonia Clear Skin Gel
Neal's Yard Remedies

Neal's Yard Remedies Mahonia Clear Skin Gel

Efficacy37/100IrritancyHigh
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Works for

1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Moisturizing
Centella asiatica extract, Glycerin + 2 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“Mahonia, calendula, gotu kola and thyme extracts cleanse your skin and seek to reduce the appearance of pores, while hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe vera help combat dryness.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

Centella asiatica extractKey activeEffect: HighA 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.~3.4–5.1%
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~6.3–9.5%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~1.1–1.6%
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~0.2–0.75%
Anti-blemish
Centella asiatica extract
Weak evidence
What the product description says
“Pat onto problem areas to encourage a clearer complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Centella asiatica extractEffect: LowA 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.~3.4–5.1%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · Centella asiatica extract
Moderate evidence

This product contains centella asiatica extract. 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.

Centella asiatica extractKey activeEffect: MediumA 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.~3.4–5.1%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Centella asiatica extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract
Moderate evidence

This product contains antioxidants (centella asiatica extract) 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.

Centella asiatica extractKey activeEffect: MediumA 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.~3.4–5.1%
Calendula officinalis flower extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating~1.2–1.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Alcohol, Thymus vulgaris extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~23–35%est.
Thymus vulgaris extract—High~4.7–7.1%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~1.2–1.7%est.
Centella asiatica 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.Medium~3.4–5.1%est.
Levulinic acidHelps stabilize a product formulationMedium~0.6–1.4%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.4–0.9%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~0.2–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Alcohol~23–35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

More about Alcohol
Glycerin~6.3–9.5%
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
Thymus vulgaris extract~4.7–7.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Thymus vulgaris extract
Centella asiatica extract~3.4–5.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-agingAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A 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 extract
Water~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Berberis aquifolium extract~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Berberis aquifolium extract
Calendula officinalis flower extract~1.2–1.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Sodium hyaluronate~1.1–1.6%
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
Levulinic acid~0.6–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps stabilize a product formulation

More about Levulinic acid
Terpineol~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Terpineol
Sodium levulinate~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.2–0.75%
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
Ally produced . made with 88%
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Alcohol, Glycerin, Thymus vulgaris extract, Centella asiatica extract, Water, Berberis aquifolium extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Levulinic acid, Terpineol, Sodium levulinate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Unknown

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Modelmdpi.com
  3. 3
    Centella asiatica in cosmetologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Triterpene Composition and Bioactivities of Centella asiatica mdpi.com
  5. 5
    Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblastsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herbaema.europa.eu
Neal's Yard Remedies Mahonia Clear Skin Gel
Neal's Yard RemediesMahonia Clear Skin Gel
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