Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter

A rich, botanical-heavy moisturizer featuring Coconut Oil and Shea Butter to deeply condition dry skin while delivering a complex blend of herbal extracts.

Performance Rating: 4.3

This moisturizer features a robust formulation for hydration and barrier repair. The combination of Glycerin (humectant) with heavy emollients like Coconut Oil and Shea Butter ensures deep moisturization. The inclusion of Dimethicone provides a protective occlusive layer to prevent water loss and improves spreadability. Additionally, the presence of Centella Asiatica, Aloe, and Chamomile offers excellent soothing properties for irritated skin.

Safety Rating: 3.7

While the preservative system (Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate) is standard and effective, there are potential sensitizers. The product contains generic Fragrance and several Citrus Extracts (Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Lemongrass), which can be irritating to sensitive skin or cause photosensitivity. Furthermore, Coconut Oil is highly comedogenic and may trigger body acne (bacne) in prone individuals.

Final Rating: 4.0

This is a highly effective body moisturizer for dry to normal skin types, offering a rich blend of botanical oils and proven hydration agents. However, it loses points on universality due to the inclusion of Fragrance and Citrus extracts, making it less suitable for those with reactive or highly sensitive skin.

Verdict

This body moisturizer presents a formulation heavily reliant on nature-derived emollients to tackle dryness. At the forefront of the ingredient list, we find Coconut Oil and Shea Butter. These are two of the most effective occlusive agents available, renowned for their ability to form a protective barrier over the epidermis to prevent transepidermal water loss. Combined with Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride and Glycerin, the base of this cream is undeniably rich, making it highly effective for softening rough patches often found on elbows, knees, and heels. The inclusion of Dimethicone adds a sophisticated touch, providing a silky “slip” that ensures the product applies smoothly without feeling overly draggy, effectively locking in the hydration provided by the oils.

What sets this product apart is the extensive cocktail of botanical extracts. It includes renowned soothing agents like Aloe Vera, Chamomile, and Centella Asiatica (Cica), which are excellent for calming inflammation and redness. Marshmallow Root is another standout addition, acting as a mucilaginous agent that helps soften and condition the skin surface. These ingredients suggest the product aims to repair the skin barrier while moisturizing.

However, the formulation is somewhat of a double-edged sword regarding its botanical profile. While it contains beneficial antioxidants like Vitamin E and Rosemary Leaf Extract, it also relies heavily on citrus extracts such as Grapefruit, Orange, and Lemon Peel. While these can offer mild enzymatic exfoliation and brightening properties, they are known sensitizers. When combined with the added synthetic Fragrance and Lemongrass Extract, the potential for irritation increases for those with reactive skin types.

Structurally, the use of fatty alcohols like Cetyl and Stearyl Alcohol ensures the lotion feels substantial and creamy rather than thin or watery. It is important to note that this is a heavy-duty moisturizer best suited for the body rather than the face. Coconut Oil has a relatively high comedogenic rating, meaning it can clog pores, so individuals prone to body acne should approach with caution. Overall, for those with parched, flaky skin who enjoy herbal scents, this offers robust hydration.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Base & Solvents / 基质与溶剂

🧪 PURIFIED WATER / 纯净水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None

Notes: The primary component of the formula.

📁 Emollients & Moisturizers / 润肤剂与保湿剂

🧪 COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL / 椰子油

Purpose: Emollient, Occlusive

Concerns: Comedogenic (may clog pores for some)

Notes: Rich moisturizing oil.

🧪 CAPRIC/CAPRYLIC TRIGLYCERIDE / 辛酸/癸酸甘油三酯

Purpose: Emollient, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, provides a silky feel.

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Draws moisture into the skin.

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

Purpose: Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Rich butter for deep moisturization.

🧪 DIMETHICONE / 聚二甲基硅氧烷

Purpose: Occlusive, Slip Agent

Concerns: Silicone (some prefer to avoid)

Notes: Forms a barrier to prevent moisture loss and improves spreadability.

🧪 ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE / 库拉索芦荟叶汁

Purpose: Soothing Agent, Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Calms irritated skin.

📁 Thickeners & Emulsifiers / 增稠剂与乳化剂

🧪 CETYL ALCOHOL / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol, non-drying.

🧪 GLYCERYL STEARATE SE / 硬脂酸甘油酯 SE

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps mix oil and water.

🧪 STEARYL ALCOHOL / 硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, Emulsifier, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol that stabilizes the lotion.

🧪 CARBOMER / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Creates a gel-like consistency.

🧪 POLYSORBATE 20 / 聚山梨醇酯-20

Purpose: Emulsifier, Solubilizer

Concerns: Low risk of contamination if not purified

Notes: Often used to solubilize fragrance or essential oils.

📁 Botanical Extracts / 植物提取物

🧪 SALVIA SCLAREA (CLARY) EXTRACT / 快乐鼠尾草提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Astringent

Concerns: None

Notes: Balancing for the skin.

🧪 CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) FRUIT EXTRACT / 葡萄柚果提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: Potential sensitization

Notes: Rich in Vitamin C.

🧪 YUCCA SHIDIGERA EXTRACT / 丝兰提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning, Anti-inflammatory

Concerns: None

Notes: Also has mild cleansing properties.

🧪 CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL EXTRACT / 甜橙果皮提取物

Purpose: Fragrance, Antioxidant

Concerns: Potential photosensitivity/irritation

Notes: Provides citrus scent.

🧪 ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT / 迷迭香叶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps preserve the product and soothe skin.

🧪 ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT (MARSHMALLOW) EXTRACT / 药蜀葵根提取物

Purpose: Soothing

Concerns: None

Notes: Contains mucilage which hydrates and softens skin.

🧪 CYMBOPOGON SCHOENANTHUS (LEMONGRASS) EXTRACT / 香茅提取物

Purpose: Antimicrobial, Fragrance

Concerns: Potential sensitizer

Notes: Fresh scent and toning properties.

🧪 CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT / 积雪草提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Healing

Concerns: None

Notes: Excellent for calming irritated skin (Cica).

🧪 CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT / 母菊(洋甘菊)花提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Anti-inflammatory

Concerns: None

Notes: Gentle on sensitive skin.

🧪 HUMULUS LUPULUS (HOPS) EXTRACT / 啤酒花提取物

Purpose: Skin Conditioning, Antimicrobial

Concerns: None

Notes: Can help tone the skin.

🧪 CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL EXTRACT / 柠檬果皮提取物

Purpose: Astringent, Brightening

Concerns: Photosensitivity

Notes: Provides enzymatic exfoliation.

🧪 EQUISETUM ARVENSE EXTRACT / 问荆提取物

Purpose: Soothing, Astringent

Concerns: None

Notes: Also known as Horsetail extract.

🧪 VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT/LEAF EXTRACT / 越橘果/叶提取物

Purpose: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Source of anthocyanins.

📁 Vitamins & Actives / 维生素与活性成分

🧪 TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E) / 生育酚乙酸酯

Purpose: Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Protects skin from free radicals and improves moisture.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂与稳定剂

🧪 SODIUM BENZOATE / 苯甲酸钠

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Food-grade preservative.

🧪 DISODIUM EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Binds to metal ions to keep the formula stable.

🧪 ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN / 乙基己基甘油

Purpose: Preservative Booster, Skin Conditioning

Concerns: None

Notes: Often paired with Phenoxyethanol.

🧪 PHENOXYETHANOL / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Restricted concentration in some regions

Notes: Standard broad-spectrum preservative.

🧪 POTASSIUM SORBATE / 山梨酸钾

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: None

Notes: Mild preservative often used with natural ingredients.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂

🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Irritant in pure form

Notes: Used in tiny amounts to neutralize Carbomer; safe in finished product.

📁 Fragrance / 香精

🧪 FRAGRANCE / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: Potential allergen/sensitizer

Notes: Synthetic or natural scent blend.