Neutrogena

Neutrogena Hands Balm Cracks & Chaps

Name: Neutrogena - Hands Balm Cracks & Chaps
Brand: Neutrogena

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Paraffinum liquidum + 9 more

Strong evidence

What the product description says

“Non oily and non sticky, it acts without stinging sensation. *cosmetic moisturizing effect.”

Source: Cocoon Center

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.

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: cera microcristallina, dimethicone.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol, paraffinum liquidum

Cera microcristallinaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency~0.35–0.8%

DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~1.7–2.6%

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~3.8–5.6%

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1.3–1.9%

Paraffinum liquidumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighMineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function~2.8–4.2%

CyclopentasiloxaneKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~2.1–3.1%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.2–4.7%

Paraffin· OcclusiveEffect: LowPrevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency~0.6–1.35%

Palmitic acid· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it~0.4–0.9%

AllantoinUnder-dosedEffect: HighHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.8–1.25%

Stearic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~0.5–1.2%

Anti-oxidation

Not advertised by the brand · Tocopheryl linoleate, Bisabolol

Moderate evidence

This product contains antioxidants (tocopheryl linoleate) 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.

Tocopheryl linoleateKey activeEffect: MediumA relative of vitamin E (Tocopherol). It can have an anti-oxidant effect in skin and/or to stabilize the product fromulation. It could be irritating but most of the reported allergy and irritation cases appeared in one geographic location (Switzerland) in 1992, and might be due to the quality issues in manufacturing of a particular batch of the ingredient~0.1–0.5%

BisabololEffect: LowAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties~1.1–1.7%

Evens skin tone

Not advertised by the brand · Dilauryl thiodipropionate

Moderate evidence

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: dilauryl thiodipropionate.

Dilauryl thiodipropionateKey activeEffect: MediumHelps preserve the product formulation. It also can have a skin lightening effect. It can be irritating.~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Dilauryl thiodipropionate, Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Dilauryl thiodipropionateHelps preserve the product formulation. It also can have a skin lightening effect. It can be irritating.High~0.1–0.35%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%est.

Sodium cetearyl sulfateHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~0.55–1.3%est.

Sodium sulfateUsed to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulationsMedium~0.35–0.8%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.55%est.

Tocopheryl linoleateA relative of vitamin E (Tocopherol). It can have an anti-oxidant effect in skin and/or to stabilize the product fromulation. It could be irritating but most of the reported allergy and irritation cases appeared in one geographic location (Switzerland) in 1992, and might be due to the quality issues in manufacturing of a particular batch of the ingredientMedium~0.1–0.5%est.

BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 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

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3.2–4.7%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~3.8–5.6%

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~3.2–4.7%

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

Paraffinum liquidum~2.8–4.2%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

More about Paraffinum liquidum

Cyclopentasiloxane~2.1–3.1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MattifyingMoisturizing

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane

Dimethicone~1.7–2.6%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone

Panthenol~1.3–1.9%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Bisabolol~1.1–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationAnti-oxidation

An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties

More about Bisabolol

Allantoin~0.8–1.25%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces rednessReduces irritationExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Paraffin~0.6–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Prevents water loss from the skin surface and thickens the product consistency

More about Paraffin

Sodium cetearyl sulfate~0.55–1.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium cetearyl sulfate

Stearic acid~0.5–1.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid

Palmitic acid~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it

More about Palmitic acid

Sodium sulfate~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations

More about Sodium sulfate

Cera microcristallina~0.35–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency

More about Cera microcristallina

Citric acid~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

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

More about Citric acid

Tocopheryl linoleate~0.1–0.5%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A relative of vitamin E (Tocopherol). It can have an anti-oxidant effect in skin and/or to stabilize the product fromulation. It could be irritating but most of the reported allergy and irritation cases appeared in one geographic location (Switzerland) in 1992, and might be due to the quality issues in manufacturing of a particular batch of the ingredient

More about Tocopheryl linoleate

Dilauryl thiodipropionate~0.1–0.35%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin tone

Helps preserve the product formulation. It also can have a skin lightening effect. It can be irritating.

More about Dilauryl thiodipropionate

Bht~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Bht

Methylparaben~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben

Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben

Parfum~0.05–0.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Paraffinum liquidum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Paraffin, Sodium cetearyl sulfate, Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Sodium sulfate, Cera microcristallina, Citric acid, Tocopheryl linoleate, Dilauryl thiodipropionate, Bht, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum

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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
	NeutrogenaHands Balm Cracks & ChapsYOUR PRODUCT	LubridermLotion With Vitamin E And B5	CicaBiafineIntense Repair Hands Cream	GaldermaCetaphil Pro Dryness Control Night Restorative Hands Cream
Match	—	60%	57%	57%
Price	$7.09	$12.97+$5.88	$7.74+$0.65	$10.07+$2.98
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 10	7 of 10	4 of 10
Key difference	—	Avena Sativa Kernel Oil	Anhydroxylitol	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Medium	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Neutrogena - Hands Balm Cracks & Chaps" has a good moisturizing formula. 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. Humectants in this product (panthenol and glycerin) 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 (paraffinum liquidum, cera microcristallina, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol and cyclopentasiloxane) 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

An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.30% - 1.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
In addition, this moisturizer contains Allantoin (0.80% - 1.25%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. 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.