CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion

A rich, restorative moisturizer formulated with essential ceramides, shea butter, and Natural Moisturizing Factors to intensely hydrate and repair the skin barrier.

Performance Rating: 4.8

This is a powerhouse formula designed for dry, rough, or bumpy skin. It features a gold-standard barrier repair complex including three types of Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Cholesterol, and Phytosphingosine, which work synergistically to restore the skin’s protective layer. The inclusion of Hydroxyethyl Urea provides intensive hydration and mild keratolytic (smoothing) effects, while Shea Butter offers rich emolliency. Furthermore, the presence of NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor) components like Sodium PCA, Glycine, Serine, and Alanine ensures deep, long-lasting moisture retention.

Safety Rating: 4.5

The safety profile is excellent, particularly for sensitive skin types, as it is fragrance-free and free from drying simple alcohols. The preservation system (utilizing Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, and Benzoic Acid) is generally well-tolerated. However, those prone to body acne (such as on the back or chest) should be aware of Isopropyl Palmitate and Myristic Acid, which can be comedogenic (pore-clogging). The formula contains PEGs and Dimethicone, which are safe and functional but sometimes avoided by consumers adhering to strict natural or ‘clean’ beauty standards.

Final Rating: 4.7

This is a scientifically sophisticated moisturizer that goes beyond simple hydration to actively repair and smooth the skin. The combination of Ceramides, Urea, and Amino Acids makes it a top-tier choice for compromising skin conditions like xerosis or keratosis pilaris. It offers clinical-grade performance with a high safety threshold, making it suitable for daily use on the vast majority of skin types.

Verdict

This formulation represents a highly sophisticated approach to body hydration, prioritizing barrier repair and biological moisture retention over simple occlusion. The ingredient list is anchored by a robust combination of Glycerin and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, ensuring that moisture is drawn into the deep layers of the skin while creating a nourishing seal that prevents transepidermal water loss. What distinguishes this product is the inclusion of a comprehensive lipid complex—Ceramide NP, AP, and EOP, working in tandem with Cholesterol and Phytosphingosine. This specific blend effectively mimics the skin’s natural lipid structure, making it a superior choice for restoring compromised barriers often seen in conditions like eczema, xerosis, or winter dryness. Furthermore, the inclusion of Hydroxyethyl Urea and a suite of amino acids—including Glycine, Serine, and Alanine—replenishes the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF). This ensures that the hydration is not just superficial but helps the skin hold onto water biologically over time. Texture-wise, the inclusion of Dimethicone ensures the product glides on smoothly and dries down to a comfortable, protective finish, avoiding the greasiness often associated with heavy balms. Additionally, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid provides very mild enzymatic exfoliation to smooth out rough texture without irritation. While the formula is excellent for sensitive and dry types due to the complete lack of fragrance and drying alcohols, those with oily or acne-prone body skin should proceed with caution. The presence of Isopropyl Palmitate and Shea Butter, while excellent moisturizers, can be comedogenic and might exacerbate congestion on areas like the back or chest. Ultimately, this is a powerhouse product for anyone needing serious moisture restoration and support for a weakened skin barrier.

Who Is This Product For?

Who Should Avoid This Product?

Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvents & Humectants / 溶剂与保湿剂

🧪 AQUA / WATER / EAU / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formulation.

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: A classic moisturizer that attracts water to the skin.

🧪 HYDROXYETHYL UREA / 羟乙基脲

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Provides excellent hydration and elasticity.

🧪 PROPANEDIOL / 丙二醇

Purpose: Humectant, Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Improves texture and absorption.

🧪 SODIUM PCA / PCA 钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Naturally occurring component of human skin.

🧪 SODIUM HYALURONATE / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Salt form of Hyaluronic Acid, holds massive amounts of moisture.

🧪 CAPRYLYL GLYCOL / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant, Preservative Booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Conditions skin and boosts antimicrobial activity.

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

🧪 CERAMIDE NP / 神经酰胺 NP

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Essential lipid for maintaining skin barrier.

🧪 CERAMIDE AP / 神经酰胺 AP

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Works with other ceramides to lock in moisture.

🧪 CERAMIDE EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Strengthens the skin barrier function.

🧪 PHYTOSPHINGOSINE / 植物鞘氨醇

Purpose: Skin Soothing, Lipid precursor

Concerns: None

Notes: A precursor to ceramides, helps repair skin.

🧪 CHOLESTEROL / 胆固醇

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Essential lipid that works synergistically with ceramides.

🧪 GLYCINE / 甘氨酸

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Amino acid used for hydration and repair.

🧪 SERINE / 丝氨酸

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Amino acid helping with water retention.

🧪 ALANINE / 丙氨酸

Purpose: Skin Replenishing

Concerns: None

Notes: Amino acid beneficial for skin balance.

🧪 SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Often used to help solubilize ceramides.

📁 Emollients & Lipids / 柔润剂与脂质

🧪 BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER / SHEA BUTTER / 牛油果树果脂

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Rich natural butter that soothes dry skin.

🧪 ISOPROPYL PALMITATE / 棕榈酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: Potentially comedogenic

Notes: Can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

🧪 CETEARYL ALCOHOL / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Fatty alcohol, not drying; makes skin feel soft.

🧪 OCTYLDODECANOL / 辛基十二醇

Purpose: Emollient, Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps stabilize the formula.

🧪 C15-19 ALKANE / C15-19 烷

Purpose: Emollient, Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides a smooth, non-greasy finish.

🧪 STEARIC ACID / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Fatty acid that thickens and softens.

🧪 DIMETHICONE / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Occlusive, Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Silicone that forms a breathable barrier and improves slip.

🧪 ISOHEXADECANE / 异十六烷

Purpose: Emollient, Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides a light, silky feel.

🧪 MYRISTIC ACID / 肉豆蔻酸

Purpose: Emulsifier, Cleansing

Concerns: Potentially comedogenic

Notes: Can be pore-clogging for some.

🧪 PALMITIC ACID / 棕榈酸

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Fatty acid naturally found in skin.

📁 Emulsifiers & Texture Modifiers / 乳化剂与质地调节剂

🧪 SORBITAN TRISTEARATE / 山梨坦三硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps mix oil and water.

🧪 SORBITAN OLEATE / 山梨坦油酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from oleic acid.

🧪 CARBOMER / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Creates a gel-like consistency.

🧪 GLYCERYL STEARATE / 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Softens skin and stabilizes the cream.

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

Purpose: Emulsifier, Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Very mild, excellent for barrier repair creams.

🧪 XANTHAN GUM / 黄原胶

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

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: Viscosity Controlling

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetic polymer for 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

Notes: Commonly used to create stable emulsions.

🧪 POLYSORBATE 80 / 聚山梨醇酯-80

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps other ingredients dissolve.

🧪 PEG-100 STEARATE / PEG-100 硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Works well with Glyceryl Stearate.

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

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Vegetable-derived emulsifier.

📁 Preservatives, pH Adjusters & Others / 防腐剂、pH调节剂及其他

🧪 TRIETHYL CITRATE / 柠檬酸三乙酯

Purpose: Solvent, Deodorant

Concerns: None

Notes: Also acts as a buffer.

🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Irritant if high conc.

Notes: Used in tiny amounts to neutralize the formula.

🧪 TOCOPHEROL / 生育酚

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Vitamin E, protects the product and skin.

🧪 HYDROXYACETOPHENONE / 对羟基苯乙酮

Purpose: Antioxidant, Preservative Booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetically produced skin conditioner.

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

Purpose: Exfoliant, pH Buffer

Concerns: None

Notes: Also known as HEPES; promotes enzyme activity for smoother skin.

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

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds metal ions to prevent spoilage, milder than EDTA.

🧪 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

Notes: Protects the formula from degradation.

🧪 BENZOIC ACID / 苯甲酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Low risk

Notes: Prevents bacterial growth.