NEEDLY pH Balancing Rich Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingCeramide np, Glycerin + 20 moreStrong evidence
“pH Balancing Rich Cream”
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, hyaluronic acid.
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, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Adenosine, Hyaluronic acid + 5 moreStrong 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- 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 GlycerinDipropylene glycol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolSqualane~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneButylene glycol~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolButyrospermum parkii butter~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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 butterSaccharomyces ferment filtrate~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces ferment filtrateCetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcohol1,2-hexanediol~0.45–1.05%
Niacinamide~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCamellia japonica seed oil~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore skin's barrier function. Might have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia japonica seed oilVinyl dimethicone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps to create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Vinyl dimethiconeAlbatrellus confluens extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl olivate~0.15–0.65%
Panthenol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPropanediol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCarbomer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSorbitan olivate~0.15–0.55%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateHydrogenated polydecene~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneCeramide np~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npHydrogenated lecithin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinArtemisia vulgaris oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Adenosine~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might 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)
More about AdenosineTricholoma matsutake extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Trideceth-10~0.1–0.45%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Disodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Hydrolyzed cicer seed extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rhododendron chrysanthum leaf extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Centella asiatica extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 extractEclipta prostrata extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It can be irritating
More about Eclipta prostrata extractDextrin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractGlucose~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseHouttuynia cordata extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gossypium herbaceum extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Hyaluronic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTromethamine~0.05–0.25%
Melia azadirachta leaf extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMoringa oleifera seed oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
More about Moringa oleifera seed oilTocopherol~0.05–0.1%
- 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, Cetearyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Camellia japonica seed oil, Vinyl dimethicone, Albatrellus confluens extract, Cetearyl olivate, Panthenol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Sorbitan olivate, Cetearyl glucoside, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Hydrogenated polydecene, Ceramide np, Hydrogenated lecithin, Artemisia vulgaris oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Tricholoma matsutake extract, Trideceth-10, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Theobroma cacao seed extract, Disodium edta, Hydrolyzed cicer seed extract, Rhododendron chrysanthum leaf extract, Centella asiatica extract, Eclipta prostrata extract, Dextrin, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Glucose, Houttuynia cordata extract, Gossypium herbaceum extract, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Tocopherol
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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.
| NEEDLYpH Balancing Rich CreamYOUR PRODUCT | TOSOWOONGJeju Mayu Cream | hwarang'Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream | Dr.Reju-AllAdvanced LC-Ceramide Barrier Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 93% | 92% |
| Price | — | $22.45 | $16.83 | $25.59 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 12 of 16 | 13 of 16 | 8 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Oligopeptide-1 | Vitamin B12 (Synthetic) | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"NEEDLY - pH Balancing Rich Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. NEEDLY - pH Balancing Rich Cream ticks this box. Humectants in this product (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, saccharomyces ferment filtrate and sodium hyaluronate) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide np, vinyl dimethicone, butyrospermum parkii butter, squalane and cetearyl alcohol) 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
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide np 0.10% - 0.40%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
- Adenosine 0.05% - 0.30%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 33 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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