Review: Neal’s Yard’s luxury Frankincense range left my skin more hydrated - and it’s now up to 30% off

Hot on the heels of reviewing some of Neal’s Yard Remedies’ hero products, I’ve been putting another selection from the British beauty brand through its paces, this time venturing into one of its most luxurious skincare collections.

The Frankincense Intense range is Neal’s Yard Remedies’ answer to age-defying skincare, promising to tackle everything from fine lines and wrinkles to hydration and loss of firmness. After being so impressed by my first introduction to the brand, I wanted to find out whether this more indulgent collection could live up to it. And there’s rarely been a better time to try it, with Neal’s Yard Remedies currently offering up to 30% off dozens of products on its website.

What I liked about Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense range

It turns out there’s a lot to love! First up is the Frankincense Intense Triple Action Melting Cleanser, usually £46 now down to £41.40, and this is easily one of the most enjoyable and effective cleansers I’ve used.

The clever formula starts as a gel, melts into an oil as you massage it over dry skin, then turns milky when you add water. It removes everyday grime and make-up, including waterproof make-up, but what I particularly like is how my skin feels afterwards. There’s none of that tight, squeaky-clean feeling you sometimes get with cleansers. Instead, it feels soft, comfortable and already nicely hydrated.

This is clearly not a budget cleanser but deserves the raft of five-star reviews left on the brand’s website. Customers with sensitive skin are particularly impressed.

The Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster, £28, currently £25.20, targets dehydration, combining hyaluronic acid with hibiscus extract. It can be used alone or mixed with your usual serum or moisturiser. I only need a few drops, and it disappears into my skin almost immediately. Hydration has been the biggest difference I’ve noticed while testing this selection, and this little bottle undoubtedly deserves some of the credit.

Next comes the Frankincense Intense Age-Defying Serum, which is where the range starts to feel seriously luxurious. It contains a plant-based three-peptide complex and is designed to smooth and plump the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve elasticity.

What matters to me when I’m actually using it, however, is that it feels silky, absorbs beautifully and doesn't leave my skin sticky or overloaded. You only need a small amount each time, which makes that admittedly substantial price tag of £81 a little easier to swallow - although you can currently buy it for £72.90. One online shopper called them “magic drops”, adding: “I ran out of this for a few months and my skin was red, dry and parched. I am now waking up with smooth and plump skin.”

But my absolute favourite and one I won’t want to run out of is the Frankincense Intense Age-Defying Cream, £77, now £69.30. This rich, comforting moisturiser has that lovely nourishing texture without feeling excessively heavy. There’s plenty going on beneath that luxurious feel, too. The formula combines plant-based peptides with gardenia stem cells, hyaluronic acid and plant-derived glycogen, alongside nourishing shea and cocoa butters and oils including macadamia, baobab and argan.

The hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture, which perhaps goes some way to explaining why my skin has felt so satisfyingly plumped and hydrated while using it. Used over the serum and hydrating booster, it leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and noticeably more nourished. The frankincense aroma also makes applying it feel more like a little daily ritual than simply putting on moisturiser before bed. Love it!

Finally, I moved away from facial skincare to try the Geranium & Orange Hand Wash, £16, currently down to £12.80. The scent is gorgeous: fresh, zesty and botanical, thanks to geranium and orange essential oils. More importantly, the formula is gentle and non-drying, so my hands feel clean and refreshed rather than stripped afterwards. I’m a big fan of Molton Brown handwashes but this is considerably cheaper yet still full of fragrance.

The Geranium & Orange Hand Lotion, priced £17 but now £13.60, is the perfect partner and another product I've really enjoyed using. With avocado, hemp seed and olive oils, it feels nourishing but absorbs quickly enough to use throughout the day without leaving my hands greasy. The uplifting geranium and orange fragrance lingers beautifully too. Again, it’s a cheaper yet equally luxurious alternative to my usual Molton Brown hand lotion. And it’s one I’ll be buying again.

What I don’t like so much about Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense range

The full routine could feel slightly more complicated than it needs to be. With a cleanser, hydrating booster, serum and cream all vying for a place in your skincare regime, there’s some crossover in the benefits they promise, particularly when it comes to hydration and plumping. You may not need all four.

That does, however, provide an opportunity to bring the cost down. Rather than investing in the complete facial routine, you could pick the Frankincense Intense products that appeal most and use them alongside more affordable skincare you already own. Personally, I’d prioritise the excellent Age-Defying Cream and serum. You’d still get to enjoy two of the stars of the range without splashing out quite so much.

My verdict

The Frankincense Intense range and hand product duo are a real find. They aren't cheap (although grab them now if you want them cheaper than usual), but there are products here I’d happily make room for in my regular routine, particularly that superb Age-Defying Cream.

And yes, my beauty cupboard has officially entered its blue era!