Equate Beauty Moisture Cocoa Butter Care Lotion

A rich, deep-conditioning body lotion combining Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, and Petrolatum to lock in moisture and smooth rough skin texture.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formulation is highly effective for dry skin due to a powerful combination of Glycerin (a humectant) and strong occlusives like Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, and Dimethicone, which seal moisture into the skin. The inclusion of Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter provides rich emollient benefits, while Tapioca Starch helps to reduce the greasy after-feel common with petrolatum-based lotions.

Safety Rating: 3.9

The product relies on standard, well-tested preservatives like Phenoxyethanol. However, the presence of Fragrance (Parfum) is a potential allergen for sensitive skin. Triethanolamine is used as a pH adjuster, which can be irritating to some individuals. Additionally, Isopropyl Palmitate is known to be comedogenic, which could cause breakouts on acne-prone areas of the body (like the back or chest).

Final Rating: 4.2

This is a robust, classic body moisturizer formula. It prioritizes efficacy with a blend of proven hydrators and protective barriers. While it contains synthetic ingredients and fragrance that might not suit the purist or the very sensitive, its ability to combat dry skin is excellent.

Verdict

This body moisturizer presents a robust formulation specifically engineered to combat dry and rough skin through a multi-layered approach to hydration. The ingredient list reveals a philosophy that leans heavily on effective occlusive agents. The primary drivers of moisture retention here are Petrolatum and Mineral Oil. These are two of the most effective ingredients available for reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), forming a hydrophobic seal over the epidermis that physically locks hydration in. This makes the product particularly adept at healing cracked or ashy skin often found on knees, elbows, and heels.

Beyond simple occlusion, the formula incorporates luxurious plant-based emollients: Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter. These butters are rich in fatty acids and vitamins, providing deep nourishment that softens the stratum corneum and improves skin pliability. The inclusion of Glycerin, a gold-standard humectant, ensures that water is actively attracted to the skin layers, balancing the heavy occlusives with actual hydration. To ensure the product feels elegant rather than strictly greasy, Tapioca Starch and Dimethicone are utilized. Tapioca Starch functions to absorb excess oiliness, helping to create a drier, more matte finish, while Dimethicone (a silicone) provides significant “slip,” allowing the thick cream to spread effortlessly over large areas of the body without dragging.

From a structural standpoint, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, and Glyceryl Stearate act as emulsifiers and thickeners, giving the lotion its substantial body and likely a pearlescent appearance. Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, a clay-derived mineral, further stabilizes the emulsion and adds to the creamy sensory experience. However, consumers should note the presence of Fragrance (Parfum) and Triethanolamine. While fragrance enhances the sensory experience, it is a common allergen that can cause irritation. Triethanolamine acts as a pH adjuster but can be sensitizing for some users with compromised skin barriers. Furthermore, Phenoxyethanol and Disodium EDTA are used as standard synthetic preservatives to ensure product longevity. The aesthetic addition of Caramel and Titanium Dioxide is purely for visual appeal, likely to give the cream a rich, warm color indicative of its cocoa ingredients.

In summary, this is a heavy-duty moisturizer best suited for the body rather than the face. It is an excellent choice for winter months or harsh climates where skin barrier integrity is compromised. While it may be too rich or fragrant for sensitive or acne-prone skin types, its blend of Petrolatum, Shea, and Cocoa Butter makes it a highly effective solution for restoring softness to severely dry skin.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Water (Aqua) / 水

Purpose: Solvent base

Concerns: None

Notes: The primary component of the formula, acting as a carrier for other ingredients.

📁 Emollients, Occlusives & Butters / 润肤剂、封闭剂与植物脂

🧪 Petrolatum / 矿脂 (凡士林)

Purpose: Occlusive

Concerns: Greasy texture

Notes: One of the most effective moisturizing ingredients; forms a seal over the skin to prevent water loss.

🧪 Mineral Oil / 矿物油

Purpose: Emollient/Occlusive

Concerns: None

Notes: A non-sensitizing oil that helps lock in moisture.

🧪 Isopropyl Palmitate / 棕榈酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient/Texture Enhancer

Concerns: Comedogenic

Notes: Makes skin feel silky but can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

🧪 Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter / 可可籽脂

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: Can be heavy for oily skin

Notes: Rich natural fat that softens and smooths dry skin.

🧪 Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter / 牛油果树果脂 (乳木果油)

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Excellent moisturizer rich in antioxidants and fatty acids.

🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Silicone Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides a smooth slip and forms a breathable protective barrier.

🧪 Cetyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Fatty Alcohol/Emollient

Concerns: None

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

📁 Humectants / 保湿剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture from the air into the skin; the gold standard for hydration.

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

🧪 Stearic Acid / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emulsifier/Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty acid that helps keep oil and water mixed.

🧪 Glycol Stearate / 乙二醇硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier/Opacifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Adds a pearlescent finish to the product.

🧪 Glyceryl Stearate / 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Softens skin and stabilizes the product.

🧪 Peg-100 Stearate / PEG-100 硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Often used in conjunction with Glyceryl Stearate.

🧪 Tapioca Starch / 木薯淀粉

Purpose: Absorbent/Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps reduce the greasy feel of the heavy oils/butters.

🧪 Magnesium Aluminum Silicate / 硅酸镁铝

Purpose: Thickener/Absorbent

Concerns: None

Notes: A clay-derived mineral used to thicken the formula.

🧪 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/Stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: Synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth texture.

🧪 Stearamide Amp / 硬脂酰胺 AMP

Purpose: Thickener/Opacifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps with foam stability (though less relevant in leave-on products) and texture.

📁 Preservatives, Stabilizers & pH Adjusters / 防腐剂、稳定剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Triethanolamine / 三乙醇胺

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Potential Irritant

Notes: Balances the acidity of the product; generally safe in rinse-off or low concentrations.

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Common alternative to parabens.

🧪 Disodium Edta / 乙二胺四乙酸二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds to metal ions to prevent spoilage and help preservatives work better.

🧪 Ethylhexylglycerin / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Preservative Booster/Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Works with Phenoxyethanol to prevent bacterial growth.

📁 Fragrance & Colorants / 香精与着色剂

🧪 Fragrance (Parfum) / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Sensitizing

Notes: Can cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

🧪 Caramel / 焦糖色

Purpose: Colorant

Concerns: None

Notes: Natural colorant to give the cream a slight tint.

🧪 Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) / 二氧化钛

Purpose: Colorant/Opacifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Makes the product look white/opaque; also a sunscreen agent, though likely used here for pigment.