Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingUrea, Paraffinum liquidum + 8 moreStrong evidence
“Essential Body Lotion”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium pca.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cera microcristallina, helianthus annuus hybrid oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum, urea
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 strong irritants: Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone + 8 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Theobroma cacao extract~8.5–10.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Cyclopentasiloxane~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin~3.8–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinParaffinum liquidum~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeIsomerized linoleic acid~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus hybrid oil~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Helianthus annuus hybrid oilSodium pca~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaLactic acid~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPotassium lactate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Urea~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaCollagen amino acids~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, soften it and support the skin barrier function
More about Collagen amino acidsCera microcristallina~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency
More about Cera microcristallinaDisodium phosphate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateParfum~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Bht~0.7–1.05%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeBenzyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholButylphenyl methylpropional~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCitronellol~0.6–0.9%
Coumarin~0.55–0.8%
Geraniol~0.5–0.75%
Hexyl cinnamal~0.45–0.7%
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeLimonene~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.3–0.55%
Ingredient list view
Water, Theobroma cacao extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Paraffinum liquidum, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Isomerized linoleic acid, Helianthus annuus hybrid oil, Sodium pca, Lactic acid, Potassium lactate, Urea, Collagen amino acids, Cera microcristallina, Disodium phosphate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Bht, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl alcohol, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| DoveEssential Body LotionYOUR PRODUCT | GarnierBody Hydralock Rich Texture Moisturising Lotion | SVRXERIAL 10 Body Lotion | TopicremBaby My 1st Moisturizing Milk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 53% | 52% |
| Price | $9.93 | — | $15.93+$6.00 | $11.50+$1.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 2 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Glycine | Panthenol | Cera Alba |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Dove - Essential Body Lotion" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Dove - Essential Body Lotion ticks this box. Urea, glycerin and sodium pca in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Paraffinum liquidum, helianthus annuus hybrid oil, cera microcristallina and cyclopentasiloxane in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.60% - 1.90%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 40.51A$ in Australia and for 7.98£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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