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Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Moisturizer
Palmers

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Moisturizer

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Paraffinum liquidum, Dimethicone + 8 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Cocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Moisturizer”
Source: Feelunique

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, propylene glycol.

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: dimethicone, theobroma cacao seed butter.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum

Paraffinum liquidumHero· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighMineral 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~0.3–0.75%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~3.8–5.7%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.2–3.3%
Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~1.3–2%
Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~0.15–0.7%
Isopropyl palmitate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~5–7.5%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1.8–2.7%
Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~1.2–1.7%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.85–1.25%
Lanolin alcohol· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating~0.3–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Parfum, Methylisothiazolinone
Medium risk
We flagged 10 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
DihydroxyacetoneA self-tanning agentHigh~2.8–4.1%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.25%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.5–1.15%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~5–7.5%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.35–0.85%est.
Lanolin alcoholHelps oil and water mix together. Can be irritatingMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~5–7.5%est.
Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect3/5~1.3–2%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Intensive Care Body Lotion Advanced Repair
Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion Advanced Repair
Cheaper67% match
$5.01
Beauty Fluid Moisturiser Sensitive Skin
Olay Beauty Fluid Moisturiser Sensitive Skin
Cheaper66% match
$8.69
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Isopropyl palmitate~5–7.5%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Dimethicone~3.8–5.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

More about Dimethicone
Dihydroxyacetone~2.8–4.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Tanning

A self-tanning agent

More about Dihydroxyacetone
Glycerin~2.2–3.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Glyceryl stearate~1.8–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Peg-100 stearate~1.6–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate
Theobroma cacao seed butter~1.3–2%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Theobroma cacao seed butter
Stearic acid~1.2–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Propylene glycol~0.85–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Parfum~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Bentonite~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Erythrulose~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Erythrulose
Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Paraffinum liquidum~0.3–0.75%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 liquidum
Lanolin alcohol~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating

More about Lanolin alcohol
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Cetyl alcohol~0.15–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Disodium edta~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Citric acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ci 19140~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 15510~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 15510
Ingredient list view

Water, Isopropyl palmitate, Dimethicone, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Stearic acid, Propylene glycol, Parfum, Bentonite, Erythrulose, Tocopheryl acetate, Paraffinum liquidum, Lanolin alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Disodium edta, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric acid, Ci 19140, Ci 15510

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:02 GMT
$13.40
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
PalmersCocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCTVaselineIntensive Care Body Lotion Advanced RepairNeutrogenaHypoallergenic Body Lotion DryskinOlayBeauty Fluid Moisturiser Sensitive Skin
Match—67%67%66%
Price$13.40$5.01−$8.39—$8.69−$4.71
Shared key ingredients—3 of 53 of 53 of 5
Key difference—Isopropyl MyristatePetrolatumPetrolatum
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medicationsjaad.org
  3. 3
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
  4. 4
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuringncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Moisturizer
PalmersCocoa Butter Formula Gradual Tanning Moisturizer
Buy on Amazon$13.40 · as of 11/9 03:02 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$13.40 · as of 11/9 03:02 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.