Suave Nourishing Care Hand & Body Lotion

A fragranced, everyday body lotion that relies on Glycerin and Soybean Oil for hydration, enriched with trace amounts of Cocoa Extract and Shea Butter.

Performance Rating: 3.7

This formula relies on a solid foundation of Glycerin (a powerful humectant) and Soybean Oil (a rich emollient) to provide hydration and skin barrier support. The combination of Stearic Acid and Cetyl Alcohol ensures a smooth application and a non-greasy finish. However, the marketed premium ingredients—Cocoa Seed Extract and Shea Butter—appear significantly lower on the list (after preservatives and fragrance), suggesting they are present in low concentrations and may not contribute heavily to the product’s efficacy compared to the base oils.

Safety Rating: 4.1

The ingredient profile is generally safe for the majority of users. It uses Phenoxyethanol as a preservative, avoiding parabens. The primary safety concern is the presence of added Fragrance (Parfum), which can be a sensitizer or allergen for those with reactive or sensitive skin. The rest of the formulation consists of standard emulsifiers and stabilizers (like Carbomer and Disodium EDTA) that are widely accepted in cosmetics.

Final Rating: 3.9

This is a reliable, everyday body moisturizer. It balances hydration and occlusion effectively using Glycerin and Soybean Oil. While it markets the inclusion of Shea and Cocoa, it is functionally a glycerin-soy lotion with a pleasant texture. It is a good choice for general skin maintenance, though perhaps not intensive enough for severely dry skin due to the low concentration of heavier butters.

Verdict

Based on the provided ingredient list, this body moisturizer functions primarily as a lightweight daily lotion rather than a heavy therapeutic cream. The formulation rests on a solid foundation of Water and Glycerin. Glycerin is a superstar humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin, ensuring immediate hydration upon application. This hydration mechanism is supported by Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, a distinct choice for an emollient. Soybean oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, providing a smoothing effect that helps soften rough patches without the heaviness associated with mineral oils or petrolatum.

The texture of this product is likely creamy yet fast-absorbing, thanks to the inclusion of Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, and Cetyl Alcohol. These ingredients are texturizers and fatty alcohols that help create a product that spreads easily without leaving a sticky or greasy residue. This makes the lotion an excellent choice for application right after a shower or before getting dressed, as it likely will not transfer onto clothing. The inclusion of Caprylyl Glycol further assists in conditioning the skin while boosting the efficacy of the preservative system.

However, consumers drawn to the product by marketing claims of Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter should manage their expectations regarding concentration. While Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter are present, they appear near the bottom of the ingredient list—specifically after the preservative Phenoxyethanol and the Fragrance. In cosmetic labeling, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance; finding these rich butters below the preservatives suggests they are present in low concentrations. While they contribute to the marketing story and offer minor conditioning, the heavy lifting is actually being done by the soybean oil and synthetic emollients.

Regarding sensitivity, the presence of Fragrance (Parfum) is a significant factor. It likely provides a pleasant sensory experience, which is important for daily habit-forming, but it can be a source of irritation for those with sensitive skin or compromised skin barriers. Additionally, Sodium Hydroxide and Citric Acid are utilized here strictly for pH balancing to ensure the product remains stable and compatible with the skin’s acid mantle.

In summary, this is a dependable maintenance moisturizer. It is well-suited for normal to slightly dry skin that needs a daily boost of hydration. It is likely affordable and cosmetically elegant, but it may not be sufficient for severely cracked skin that requires a denser barrier, nor is it suitable for those who react poorly to synthetic fragrances or soy-based ingredients.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 WATER (AQUA, EAU) / 水

Purpose: Solvent base

Concerns: None

Notes: The primary carrier for other ingredients.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂与柔润剂

🧪 GLYCERIN / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None

Notes: Attracts moisture to the skin.

🧪 GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL / 野大豆油

Purpose: Emollient, Antioxidant

Concerns: Low risk of comedogenicity

Notes: Rich in fatty acids and vitamins.

🧪 THEOBROMA CACAO SEED EXTRACT / 可可籽提取物

Purpose: Emollient, Antioxidant

Concerns: None

Notes: Provides skin conditioning properties.

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

Purpose: Occlusive Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Excellent for repairing the skin barrier and retaining moisture.

📁 Emulsifiers, Thickeners & Texture Enhancers / 乳化剂、增稠剂与质地调节剂

🧪 STEARIC ACID / 硬脂酸

Purpose: Emulsifier, Thickener

Concerns: Low risk of irritation

Notes: A fatty acid used to create a creamy texture.

🧪 GLYCOL STEARATE / 乙二醇硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Opacifier, Emollient

Concerns: None

Notes: Gives the product a pearlescent appearance.

🧪 GLYCERYL STEARATE / 甘油硬脂酸酯

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps blend oil and water.

🧪 CETYL ALCOHOL / 鲸蜡醇

Purpose: Emollient, Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: A fatty alcohol that softens skin and stabilizes the formula.

🧪 CARBOMER / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener, Texture Enhancer

Concerns: None

Notes: Creates a gel-like consistency.

🧪 HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE / 羟乙基纤维素

Purpose: Thickener

Concerns: None

Notes: Plant-derived thickening agent.

🧪 STEARAMIDE AMP / 硬脂酰胺 AMP

Purpose: Viscosity Controlling, Stabilizer

Concerns: None

Notes: Helps maintain texture consistency.

📁 Preservatives & Stabilizers / 防腐剂与稳定剂

🧪 CAPRYLYL GLYCOL / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant, Preservative Booster

Concerns: None

Notes: Improves the efficacy of other preservatives while hydrating.

🧪 PHENOXYETHANOL / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be irritating to sensitive skin in high concentrations

Notes: Common alternative to parabens.

🧪 DISODIUM EDTA / EDTA 二钠

Purpose: Chelating Agent

Concerns: None

Notes: Prevents metals in water from spoiling the product.

📁 pH Adjusters / 酸碱调节剂

🧪 SODIUM HYDROXIDE / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Irritant in pure form

Notes: Used in small amounts to neutralize acidity; safe in final formulation.

🧪 CITRIC ACID / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: None

Notes: Used to lower the pH of the product to match the skin.

📁 Fragrance / 香精

🧪 FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) / 香精

Purpose: Scent

Concerns: High risk of sensitization or allergic reaction

Notes: Synthetic or natural scent compounds.