Amazon Basics Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream for Dry & Sensitive Skin

A fragrance-free, occlusive-rich body moisturizer formulated with Petrolatum and Sweet Almond Oil to lock in moisture for dry, sensitive skin.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formula represents a high-performance moisturizing blend. It utilizes Glycerin as a primary humectant to draw water into the skin, while Petrolatum serves as the gold-standard occlusive to prevent transepidermal water loss. The inclusion of Sweet Almond Oil and Dimethicone adds significant emollient properties, smoothing the skin’s texture. Furthermore, Dicaprylyl Ether is a smart addition to mitigate the heavy, greasy feel often associated with petrolatum-based products, ensuring good spreadability.

Safety Rating: 4.4

The formulation relies on well-studied, standard cosmetic ingredients. It appears to be fragrance-free (unless hidden in raw materials), which lowers the risk of irritation. However, Benzyl Alcohol is used as a preservative and can be a sensitizer for those with highly reactive skin or compromised barriers. While Petrolatum and PEGs (PEG-30 Glyceryl Stearate) are deemed safe by regulators, they are occasionally avoided by consumers seeking ‘natural’ labels due to petroleum derivation and low risks of impurities.

Final Rating: 4.5

This is a robust, dermatologist-style body moisturizer designed for efficacy. It strikes an excellent balance between deep hydration via Glycerin and barrier protection via Petrolatum and Dimethicone. It is highly suitable for dry to very dry skin, offering intense moisture without the irritation often caused by added fragrances.

Verdict

This formulation represents a robust, clinically-oriented approach to hydration, prioritizing barrier protection over sensory luxury. At its core, the formula relies on the powerful synergy between Glycerin, a humectant that draws water into the skin, and Petrolatum, the gold standard of occlusives that prevents that water from evaporating. This combination is highly effective for combating Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), making it a staple for those suffering from chronically dry skin or compromised barriers.

The inclusion of Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil adds a nourishing, fatty-acid rich emollient layer that softens the skin texture, while Dimethicone and Dimethiconol provide a smooth glide and an additional protective seal without feeling sticky. The use of Dicaprylyl Ether is a smart formulation choice; it is a “dry” emollient that helps mitigate the potential greasiness of the Petrolatum and oil, ensuring the product spreads easily.

Notably, this ingredient list is devoid of fragrance and masking scents, which significantly lowers the risk of irritation for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. The preservation system uses Benzyl Alcohol and Phenoxyethanol, which are standard and generally well-tolerated. However, the presence of Petrolatum and heavy emollients suggests that while this is excellent for the body, it might be too heavy or potentially comedogenic for acne-prone areas on the face or back.

Overall, this is a functional, high-performance moisturizer. It doesn’t rely on trendy extracts but rather on proven, dermatological staples. It is best suited for night-time application or for treating rough patches on elbows, knees, and heels where the skin requires intensive recovery.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The base of the formulation.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂与润肤剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin; a skin-identical ingredient.

🧪 Petrolatum / 矿脂 (凡士林)

Purpose: Occlusive

Concerns: Can be greasy; potential pore-clogging for very oily skin types.

Notes: The gold standard for preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

🧪 Dicaprylyl Ether / 二辛基醚

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides a dry, non-greasy skin feel.

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Emollient, Occlusive

Concerns: Silicone-based; generally safe but some prefer silicone-free products.

Notes: Provides a silky slip and forms a breathable barrier.

🧪 Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil / 甜扁桃油

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Potential allergen for those with nut allergies.

Notes: Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.

🧪 Tocopheryl Acetate / 生育酚乙酸酯

Purpose: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: Rare contact dermatitis.

Notes: A stable form of Vitamin E.

🧪 Dimethiconol / 聚二甲基硅氧烷醇

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: A silicone gum that provides a velvety feel.

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

🧪 Glyceryl Stearate / 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps mix oil and water; softens the skin.

🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Emollient, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol that is non-drying and stabilizes the emulsion.

🧪 PEG-30 Glyceryl Stearate / PEG-30 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: PEG compounds can contain impurities like 1,4-dioxane, though cosmetic grade is usually purified.

Notes: Surfactant that helps form the product 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: Texture Enhancer, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetic polymer used to stabilize the formula and control viscosity.

🧪 Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer / 甘油丙烯酸酯/丙烯酸共聚物

Purpose: Film Former, Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Often part of moisturizing gels; enhances texture.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂与稳定剂

🧪 Benzyl Alcohol / 苯甲醇

Purpose: Preservative, Solvent

Concerns: Known fragrance allergen; can cause sensitization in sensitive skin.

Notes: A volatile alcohol used to preserve the product.

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be irritating to eyes; restricted concentrations in infant products.

Notes: Common alternative to parabens.

🧪 Disodium EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None regarding skin safety; aids preservative efficacy.

Notes: Binds metal ions to prevent spoilage.

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Highly corrosive in pure form, but safe as a neutralizer in formulations.

Notes: Used to establish the correct pH balance for the product.