Neal’s Yard Remedies may not dominate every bathroom shelf the way certain blockbuster brands do, yet skin care enthusiasts often speak of its blue glass jars with a kind of hushed respect. The company has spent decades championing botanical ingredients and ethical production, an ethos that earns it a fair bit of admiration from me.
Enter the grandly titled Rejuvenating Frankincense Nourishing Cream. The name alone sounds like something you would find in an apothecary rather than a modern vanity, promising a whiff of ancient ritual with every application. According to the brand this overnight treatment serves up a comforting cocktail of frankincense and myrrh to drench dry or mature skin in moisture for a full day while softening fine lines.
I spent two solid weeks using it morning and evening to see whether its promises translate to real world results and if it deserves a spot in your routine or simply your curiosity.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored review. All thoughts are my own based on personal experience and results can, of course, vary from one complexion to another.
What Is Rejuvenating Frankincense Nourishing Cream?
At its core this is a night-time moisturizer formulated around two aromatic resins, frankincense and myrrh, suspended in a base of plant oils such as sunflower, jojoba and apricot kernel. Neal’s Yard Remedies positions it as an all-skin-types solution yet it speaks most directly to dry or aging complexions in need of sustained hydration. The brand claims the cream can keep water locked in for up to 24 hours while softening the look of fine lines.
Because it sits in the overnight treatment category you are meant to apply it as the final step after cleansing and any serums. Overnight treatments are typically richer than day creams so they can work uninterrupted while skin goes through its natural repair cycle during sleep. The idea is that you wake up to a complexion that feels replenished rather than tight or dull. This particular formula is also vegan which broadens its appeal to shoppers looking for plant-based options.
Did It Work?
Like any respectable armchair scientist I shelved my usual overnight treatment for three nights before starting the trial so my skin could reset (peer reviewed study of one, but still). Fourteen days felt like a reasonable window to gauge real change rather than a fleeting first impression.
I applied a pea sized amount after serum every evening and, in the spirit of full immersion, on most mornings too. The cream spreads easily but sits on the surface for a minute before sinking in so I used the wait time to brush teeth. The resinous scent is pleasant if you enjoy a hint of church incense with your skincare, less so if fragrance gives you pause.
Day one through three my cheeks felt comforted and looked a touch more luminous by breakfast, although by late afternoon I noticed dryness creeping back in. The touted 24 hour hydration proved closer to twelve on my combination skin. Still, no stinging or breakouts surfaced which is a win given my temperamental T zone.
By the end of week one fine dehydration lines around my mouth appeared softer but deeper crow’s-feet stayed exactly where they were. I also caught a faint slick on my nose by midday suggesting the richer oils can migrate if you lean oily.
Heading into day fourteen the overall picture remained steady: dependable moisture, a smoother canvas for foundation, yet no dramatic plumping or lasting glow. I enjoyed the comforting feel at night but found myself itching to return to something lighter for daytime layers.
So did it work? Partly. The cream delivers solid nourishment and a gentle sensory ritual but stops short of the transformative punch its name implies. I will finish the jar on cooler evenings though it will not replace the staples that have already earned permanent residency in my cabinet.
Rejuvenating Frankincense Nourishing Cream’s Main Ingredients Explained
At the heart of this formula sit frankincense and myrrh essential oils, two resin extracts long prized for their soothing aroma and reputed anti-inflammatory properties. In skin care they can encourage a calmer surface and lend an almost meditative scent profile. Pairing them is largely about sensorial pleasure though both contain antioxidant molecules that may help fend off free-radical activity which shows up as premature lines.
The heavy lifting for hydration comes from a trio of plant oils: sunflower, jojoba and apricot kernel. Sunflower seed oil is rich in linoleic acid so it reinforces the skin barrier without feeling overly greasy. Jojoba mimics natural sebum making it a crowd-pleaser for most skin types. Apricot kernel oil supplies vitamins A and E and contributes to the cream’s velvety slip. Wheat germ and sweet almond oils add further emollience but both score around 3-4 on the comedogenic scale meaning they might clog pores if you are acne-prone. That risk is what “comedogenic” refers to: an ingredient’s tendency to block follicles and create comedones (blackheads or whiteheads).
Glycerin handles humectant duties by drawing water into the upper layers, while glyceryl stearate and cetearyl alcohol act as stabilizing emulsion builders that also leave a soft film to cut transepidermal water loss. Tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate provide antioxidant support which helps shore up the oils against rancidity and offers a mild protective benefit for skin.
Phenoxyethanol shows up as the primary preservative, a mainstream choice considered safe at concentrations under 1 percent though sensitive users sometimes report mild irritation. Limonene is present too, a fragrance component that can oxidize and become sensitizing with air exposure so consider a patch test if you react easily to scented products.
The ingredient list is entirely plant-derived or lab-synthetic making the cream suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Regarding pregnancy safety, essential oils such as frankincense and myrrh fall into the grey zone because absorption rates and individual sensitivities vary. The prudent path is to seek explicit guidance from your healthcare provider before using any leave-on product containing essential oils while expecting or nursing.
One final note: the absence of silicones means the finish feels more “skin-on-skin” than artificially silky which some will love and others may miss. Overall the formula reads like a traditional cold-cream recipe modernized with cleaner preservation and a focus on botanical oils.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here is how the cream stacked up for me after two weeks:
What Works Well:
- Cushiony texture provides immediate comfort to dry areas and settles without a greasy film by morning
- Doubles as a smooth primer under daytime makeup, giving foundation a soft satin glide
- Vegan formula rich in familiar plant oils and free of silicones will appeal to ingredient-focused users
What to Consider:
- Hydration tends to taper off by mid afternoon on combination or oily skin rather than lasting the full day
- Dense oil blend can leave a noticeable sheen and may clog pores if you are prone to breakouts
- Jar packaging exposes the essential oils to air and fingers which can reduce potency over time
My Final Thoughts
A solid overnight cream is the unsung hero of any routine and I walked in hopeful that Rejuvenating Frankincense Nourishing Cream would be the one to dethrone my long-time staples. After two weeks of twice-daily use I can say it is a comforting, reliable hydrator that suits dry or mature skin best while combination types like mine may reach for blotting paper before lunch. The frankincense-myrrh duo lends a spa-like scent and the plant oil base cocoons skin nicely yet the touted 24-hour moisture lands closer to half that on oilier zones. Lines born of dehydration did soften but deeper wrinkles held their ground which feels fair for a cream that is more nurture than performance treatment.
If you crave a thick night cream that feels like wrapping your face in a cashmere scarf this is worth a sniff. If you prefer featherlight gels or need actives like retinol to chase serious fine-line drama you will likely move on. I sit somewhere in between so my verdict is a respectable 7/10. I would recommend it to a friend who complains of winter dryness or loves aromatherapy-leaning formulas though I would add a friendly disclaimer about midday shine.
For those curious yet unconvinced I have road-tested plenty of alternatives. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal remains my go-to allrounder: balanced, reasonably priced and agreeable to every skin type I have thrown it at. Fans of barrier support might adore Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue from BIOSSANCE which drenches skin without feeling rich. When my complexion looks tired Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial by ELEMIS delivers bounce and a subtle morning glow. Finally Water Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE is perfect for hot nights when anything heavier feels suffocating yet you still want to wake up dewy.
Before you slather on a brand-new pot remember a few basics. Patch test behind the ear or along the jaw for a couple of nights (yes I know I sound like an over-protective parent and sorry about that). Keep expectations realistic because any glow earned will fade if you stop using the product. Consistency really is the secret sauce in skincare so pick the texture and scent you will happily reach for after a long day then stick with it.