up&up Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin Unscented

A fragrance-free, barrier-restoring moisturizer featuring a blend of essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and cholesterol to hydrate and fortify the skin’s natural defenses.

Performance Rating: 4.7

This formula is a powerhouse for barrier repair and hydration. It features an excellent combination of three types of Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Cholesterol, and Phytosphingosine, which mimic the skin’s natural lipids to restore the protective barrier. The inclusion of Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin ensures deep hydration, while Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Dimethicone provide emollience and an occlusive seal to prevent moisture loss without feeling overly greasy.

Safety Rating: 4.5

The product is fragrance-free and omits volatile essential oils, making it highly suitable for sensitive skin. The preservative system uses Phenoxyethanol, which is well-tolerated. The only minor caution is the combination of Cetearyl/Stearyl Alcohol and Ceteareth-20, which can be potentially comedogenic (pore-clogging) for highly acne-prone skin types, though it is generally safe for most users.

Final Rating: 4.6

This is a gold-standard formulation for a basic, effective daily moisturizer. It focuses entirely on skin health and hydration rather than marketing fluff. Ideally suited for dry, normal, and sensitive skin types looking for reliable moisture and barrier maintenance.

Verdict

This formulation represents the gold standard for functional, barrier-repairing skincare. It prioritizes skin health and structural integrity over flashy, trend-driven marketing. The ingredient list is expertly constructed to mimic the skin’s natural biology, specifically targeting the stratum corneum to fix cracks in the moisture barrier. The base of the product relies on Glycerin and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, a combination that ensures immediate hydration and a soft, non-greasy finish that absorbs efficiently into the skin.

The true power of this moisturizer lies in its advanced lipid complex. The inclusion of Ceramides NP, AP, and EOP, alongside Cholesterol and Phytosphingosine, creates a synergy that replicates the skin’s natural “mortar” holding cells together. This makes the product exceptionally effective for treating a compromised skin barrier, dehydration, or irritation caused by active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliants. The addition of Sodium Hyaluronate acts as a humectant to draw water into the epidermis, while Dimethicone serves as a gentle, breathable occlusive to lock that moisture in without creating a heavy or sticky film.

Texturally, the blend of Cetyl, Cetearyl, and Stearyl Alcohols provides a creamy, luxurious consistency. It is important to distinguish these fatty alcohols from drying alcohols; these ingredients actually condition the skin and improve spreadability. The formula also includes Beta-Sitosterol, a plant-derived ingredient similar to cholesterol that further soothes and conditions the skin. Because it is fragrance-free and relies on standard, well-tolerated preservatives, it is an ideal choice for reactive or sensitive skin types.

While this moisturizer is widely tolerated, it is not without potential caveats for specific skin conditions. The combination of Cetearyl Alcohol and Ceteareth-20 is a known comedogenic trigger for a small subset of people, potentially causing congestion in those with highly acne-prone skin. Additionally, the presence of esters like Polysorbate 20 and Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate means it is not suitable for those strictly avoiding fungal acne triggers. However, for the vast majority of users—specifically those with normal to dry skin—this formulation offers a reliable, scientifically sound approach to daily hydration.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Moisturizers & Skin-Replenishing Ingredients / 保湿与皮肤补充成分

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the product.

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin.

🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Salt form of hyaluronic acid, holds massive amounts of water.

🧪 Ceramide NP / 神经酰胺 NP

Purpose: Skin Barrier Repair

Concerns: None

Notes: Essential lipid for maintaining the skin barrier.

🧪 Ceramide AP / 神经酰胺 AP

Purpose: Skin Barrier Repair

Concerns: None

Notes: Reinforces the skin’s protective barrier.

🧪 Ceramide EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP

Purpose: Skin Barrier Repair

Concerns: None

Notes: Works with other ceramides to protect skin.

🧪 Phytosphingosine / 植物鞘氨醇

Purpose: Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: A precursor to ceramides, helps restore barrier.

🧪 Cholesterol / 胆固醇

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Critical for maintaining skin barrier function.

🧪 Beta-Sitosterol / β-谷甾醇

Purpose: Skin Soothing

Concerns: None

Notes: A plant-derived fatty acid similar to cholesterol.

📁 Emollients & Texture Enhancers / 润肤剂与质地改良剂

🧪 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride / 辛酸/癸酸甘油三酯

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, smoothens skin.

🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Fatty Alcohol/Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Not a drying alcohol; softens skin and stabilizes the formula.

🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Fatty Alcohol/Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: A mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols.

🧪 Stearyl Alcohol / 硬脂醇

Purpose: Fatty Alcohol/Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps to soothe and soften the skin.

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Occlusive/Emollient

Concerns: Low risk of clogging pores for some

Notes: Forms a breathable barrier to prevent moisture loss and gives a silky feel.

📁 Emulsifiers & Surfactants / 乳化剂与表面活性剂

🧪 Ceteareth-20 / 鲸蜡硬脂醇聚醚-20

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps mix oil and water.

🧪 Sucrose Stearate / 硬脂酸蔗糖酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Sugar-based emulsifier.

🧪 Sucrose Distearate / 二硬脂酸蔗糖酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Sugar-based emulsifier.

🧪 Polysorbate 20 / 聚山梨醇酯-20

Purpose: Solubilizer/Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps dissolve ingredients.

🧪 Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate / 聚甘油-3 二异硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emollient/Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Conditioning agent.

🧪 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Often used to stabilize ceramides.

📁 Thickeners & Stabilizers / 增稠剂与稳定剂

🧪 Carbomer / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Controls the viscosity of the product.

🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Natural thickener.

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelator

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds metal ions to keep the formula stable.

🧪 Dipotassium Phosphate / 磷酸氢二钾

Purpose: Buffering Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Adjusts and maintains pH.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be sensitizing for very sensitive skin

Notes: Common safe alternative to parabens.

🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant/Preservative Booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Hydrates skin and improves preservative efficacy.

🧪 Hexylene Glycol / 己二醇

Purpose: Solvent/Preservative aid

Concerns: Low risk of irritation

Notes: Helps thin out heavy textures.