CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion

A deeply restorative, fragrance-free hand cream formulated with ceramides, urea, and shea butter to repair the moisture barrier and soften rough skin.

Performance Rating: 4.8

This is an outstanding formulation for a hand moisturizer, designed for heavy-duty repair. It features a comprehensive Multi-Ceramide Complex (NP, AP, EOP) alongside Cholesterol and Phytosphingosine, which are the gold standard for restoring a damaged skin barrier. The inclusion of Hydroxyethyl Urea and Glycerin provides intense humectancy to draw moisture in, while Shea Butter and Dimethicone act as emollients and occlusives to lock it in and protect hands from washing. Additionally, the presence of Amino Acids (Glycine, Serine, Alanine) mimics the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF).

Safety Rating: 4.5

The safety profile is excellent, particularly for sensitive or eczematous skin. It is Fragrance-Free and void of essential oils, removing the primary risks for contact dermatitis. It relies on generally well-tolerated preservatives like Benzoic Acid and Caprylyl Glycol rather than Parabens or formaldehyde releasers. While it contains PEGs and Polysorbates (which some clean beauty advocates avoid), these are safe for topical use in established formulations. The lack of drying alcohols ensures it will not strip the skin.

Final Rating: 4.7

This is a top-tier therapeutic hand cream. It moves beyond simple moisturizing to offer genuine barrier repair through its lipid-rich formula. It strikes a balance between being rich enough to heal dry, cracked skin (thanks to Shea Butter and Ceramides) while utilizing Dimethicone and polymers to prevent it from feeling overly greasy. It is highly recommended for rough, dry hands.

Verdict

This formulation represents a gold standard for restorative hand care, specifically targeting the breakdown of the skin barrier. The ingredient list is anchored by a complex of Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Cholesterol, and Phytosphingosine. These lipids are identical to those found naturally in the skin, making them highly effective at repairing cracks and restoring defense mechanisms. Unlike basic lotions that simply sit on top, this product penetrates to offer structural repair. The inclusion of Hydroxyethyl Urea is a brilliant addition for hand care; as a humectant and mild keratolytic, it draws moisture deep into the skin while gently softening rough calluses and cuticles. To seal this moisture in, the formula utilizes Shea Butter and Dimethicone. The dimethicone forms a semi-permeable, protective glove-like film that prevents water loss even after hand washing, which is essential for healthcare workers or those with labor-intensive jobs. Despite its richness, the addition of texture enhancers like Isohexadecane ensures it absorbs without leaving a sticky residue. Finally, the complete absence of fragrance and potentially irritating preservatives makes it a safe, therapeutic option for even the most sensitive skin types, including those prone to eczema. It is a highly functional, dermatologist-friendly formulation that prioritizes skin health over sensory luxury.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Skin Barrier Repair Complex / 皮肤屏障修复复合物

🧪 CERAMIDE NP / 神经酰胺 NP

Purpose: Skin barrier restoration

Concerns: None identified

Notes: One of the essential lipids found in the skin’s outer layer; helps retain moisture and protect the barrier.

🧪 CERAMIDE AP / 神经酰胺 AP

Purpose: Skin barrier restoration

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Works synergistically with other ceramides to reinforce the protective lipid layer.

🧪 CERAMIDE EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP

Purpose: Skin barrier restoration

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Another vital ceramide type for maintaining skin integrity.

🧪 PHYTOSPHINGOSINE / 植物鞘氨醇

Purpose: Cell-communicating ingredient

Concerns: None identified

Notes: A lipid precursor that naturally occurs in the skin and helps produce ceramides.

🧪 CHOLESTEROL / 胆固醇

Purpose: Skin barrier recovery

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Essential lipid that helps maintain the skin barrier structure alongside ceramides and fatty acids.

🧪 GLYCINE / 甘氨酸

Purpose: Skin conditioning

Concerns: None identified

Notes: An amino acid that is part of the skin’s natural building blocks.

🧪 ALANINE / 丙氨酸

Purpose: Skin conditioning

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Amino acid used as a skin conditioning agent.

🧪 SERINE / 丝氨酸

Purpose: Skin conditioning

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Amino acid and water-binding agent.

📁 Moisturizers & Humectants / 保湿剂与吸湿剂

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: A superstar ingredient that draws moisture into the skin.

🧪 HYDROXYETHYL UREA / 羟乙基脲

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Provides strong hydration without a sticky feeling.

🧪 SODIUM HYALURONATE / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: The salt form of Hyaluronic Acid; holds massive amounts of water.

🧪 SODIUM PCA / PCA 钠

Purpose: Skin-identical ingredient

Concerns: None identified

Notes: A component of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF).

🧪 PROPANEDIOL / 1,3-丙二醇

Purpose: Humectant / Solvent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Can improve the absorption of ingredients; often used as a gentler alternative to propylene glycol.

🧪 CAPRYLYL GLYCOL / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant / Preservative booster

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Skin conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties.

📁 Emollients & Lipids / 润肤剂与脂质

🧪 BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER / SHEA BUTTER / 牛油果树果脂 (乳木果油)

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Rich natural fat that deeply moisturizes and soothes.

🧪 ISOPROPYL PALMITATE / 棕榈酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient / Texture enhancer

Concerns: Comedogenic potential

Notes: Makes skin feel smooth but can be pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

🧪 CETEARYL ALCOHOL / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient / Texture enhancer

Concerns: None identified

Notes: A fatty alcohol that is non-drying and helps stabilize creams.

🧪 DIMETHICONE / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Occlusive / Emollient

Concerns: Biodegradability concerns

Notes: A silicone that forms a breathable protective seal on the skin to prevent moisture loss.

🧪 OCTYLDODECANOL / 辛基十二醇

Purpose: Emollient / Solvent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Long-chain fatty alcohol used to improve texture.

🧪 C15-19 ALKANE / C15-19 烷

Purpose: Emollient / Solvent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Often used as a silicone alternative for a lightweight feel.

🧪 STEARIC ACID / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emollient / Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Fatty acid used to harden and stabilize the formula.

🧪 MYRISTIC ACID / 肉豆蔻酸

Purpose: Emollient / Cleansing

Concerns: Comedogenic potential

Notes: Fatty acid often used in soaps or thick creams.

🧪 PALMITIC ACID / 棕榈酸

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Common fatty acid found in plants and animals.

🧪 GLYCERYL STEARATE / 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emollient / Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Helps skin feel soft and smooth.

🧪 ISOHEXADECANE / 异十六烷

Purpose: Texture enhancer / Solvent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Provides a dry, non-greasy finish.

📁 Emulsifiers, Thickeners & Texture Enhancers / 乳化剂、增稠剂与质地改良剂

🧪 BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE / 山嵛基三甲基硫酸甲酯

Purpose: Emulsifier / Conditioning agent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: A very mild cationic surfactant that detangles and conditions; often found in high-quality moisturizers.

🧪 SORBITAN TRISTEARATE / 山梨坦三硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Helps mix oil and water.

🧪 SORBITAN OLEATE / 山梨坦油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Surfactant used to stabilize emulsions.

🧪 SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Specifically helps to emulsify ceramides in formulas.

🧪 POLYSORBATE 80 / 聚山梨醇酯-80

Purpose: Emulsifier / Surfactant

Concerns: Contamination risk (Ethoxylation)

Notes: Helps ingredients dissolve.

🧪 PEG-100 STEARATE / PEG-100 硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: Contamination risk (Ethoxylation)

Notes: Common emulsifier usually paired with Glyceryl Stearate.

🧪 PEG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE / PEG-20 甲基葡糖倍半硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: Contamination risk (Ethoxylation)

Notes: Complex emulsifier for stable creams.

🧪 CARBOMER / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener / Gel agent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Creates the viscosity of the product.

🧪 XANTHAN GUM / 黄原胶

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Natural sugar-based thickener.

🧪 ACRYLAMIDE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE COPOLYMER / 丙烯酰胺/丙烯酰基二甲基牛磺酸钠共聚物

Purpose: Texture enhancer / Stabilizer

Concerns: Trace Acrylamide (usually strictly controlled)

Notes: Provides a gel-like texture.

🧪 ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER / 丙烯酸(酯)类/C10-30 烷醇丙烯酸酯交联聚合物

Purpose: Thickener / Stabilizer

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Common texture enhancer.

📁 Preservatives, Stabilizers & Others / 防腐剂、稳定剂及其他

🧪 AQUA / WATER / EAU / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None identified

Notes: The base of the formula.

🧪 TOCOPHEROL / 生育酚 (维生素E)

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Protects the formula and skin from free radicals.

🧪 HYDROXYACETOPHENONE / 对羟基苯乙酮

Purpose: Antioxidant / Preservative booster

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Skin-soothing agent that boosts preservative efficacy.

🧪 BENZOIC ACID / 苯甲酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Sensitization (rare)

Notes: Antimicrobial agent.

🧪 TRIETHYL CITRATE / 柠檬酸三乙酯

Purpose: Solvent / Stabilizer

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Can inhibit body odor causing enzymes; also acts as a solvent.

🧪 HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHANE SULFONIC ACID / 羟乙基哌嗪乙烷磺酸 (HEPES)

Purpose: pH Adjuster / Exfoliant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Promotes enzymatic exfoliation for smoother skin.

🧪 TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE / 乙二胺二琥珀酸三钠

Purpose: Chelator

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Biodegradable alternative to EDTA; neutralizes metal ions to prevent spoilage.

🧪 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE / 季戊四醇四(双-叔丁基羟基氢化肉桂酸)酯

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None identified

Notes: Prevents degradation of the product.

🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Irritant (in raw form only)

Notes: Used in tiny amounts to balance the acidity of the product.