What's In My Jar
Neal's Yard Remedies Soothing Skin Salve
Neal's Yard Remedies

Neal's Yard Remedies Soothing Skin Salve

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
6 ingredients credited for this claim
Good evidence
What the product description says
“Soften, quench and soothe dry skin with calendula and a nourishing combination of organic oils, shea butter and protective beeswax.”
Source: Neal's yard remedies

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: butyrospermum parkii butter, cera alba.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

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~2.7–4%
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.~0.6–1.4%
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~2.3–3.5%
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~3.5–5.3%
Olea europaea fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation~1.4–2.1%
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~0.45–1.1%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claim
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.~0.6–1.4%
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extractEffect: LowA plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritating~1.1–1.6%
Butyrospermum parkii butterEffect: LowA 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~2.7–4%
Calendula officinalis extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin~22–33%
Calendula officinalis flower extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating~1.6–2.3%
TocopherolUnder-dosedEffect: HighPure 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~0.45–1.1%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claim
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.~0.6–1.4%
Butyrospermum parkii butterEffect: LowA 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~2.7–4%
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~0.45–1.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Calendula officinalis extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skinHigh~22–33%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~1.6–2.3%est.
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.6%est.
Boswellia neglecta resin oilUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
Pogostemon cablin leaf oilUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.2–0.8%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%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~2.3–3.5%est.
Olea europaea fruit oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammationMedium~1.4–2.1%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~0.6–1.4%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 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 radicals3/5~4.4–6.6%est.
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 radicals3/5~2.7–4%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Calendula officinalis extract~22–33%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Calendula officinalis extract
Butyrospermum parkii butter~4.4–6.6%
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
Frankincense
Not recognized
Pogostemon cablin oil~4.2–6.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Pogostemon cablin oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~3.5–5.3%
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
Butyrospermum parkii butter~2.7–4%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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
Cera alba~2.3–3.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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
Calendula officinalis flower extract~1.6–2.3%
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
Olea europaea fruit oil~1.4–2.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation

More about Olea europaea fruit oil
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritating

More about Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract
Centella asiatica extract~0.6–1.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces irritationReduces rednessMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-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
Helichrysum italicum flower oil~0.5–1.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Helichrysum italicum flower oil
Tocopherol~0.45–1.1%
Under-dosed
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
Boswellia neglecta resin oil~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Boswellia neglecta resin oil
Commiphora confusa resin oil~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Commiphora confusa resin oil
Pogostemon cablin leaf oil~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Pogostemon cablin leaf oil
Limonene~0.1–0.5%
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~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ingredient list view

Calendula officinalis extract, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Unknown, Pogostemon cablin oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cera alba, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Olea europaea fruit oil, Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract, Centella asiatica extract, Helichrysum italicum flower oil, Tocopherol, Boswellia neglecta resin oil, Commiphora confusa resin oil, Pogostemon cablin leaf oil, Limonene, Linalool

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Protective effect of Calendula officinalis extract against UVB-induced oxidative stress in skin: evaluation of reduced glutathione levels and matrix metalloproteinase secretionpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. 3
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  4. 4
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trialncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Neal's Yard Remedies Soothing Skin Salve
Neal's Yard RemediesSoothing Skin Salve
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