Curél Ultra Healing Intensive Moisture Lotion
Summary
Curél Ultra Healing Intensive Moisture scores 58/100. Recent reformulation went paraben-free and fragrance-free (as confirmed by the on-pack icons), and adds a real ceramide complex — Ceramide 1, 3, and 6-II plus phytosphingosine and cholesterol — that genuinely supports skin barrier repair. This is a step above Cetaphil on the active-ingredient front. Negatives: mineral oil and dimethicone remain as the main occlusive lipid system, plus PEG-100 stearate (potential 1,4-dioxane), phenoxyethanol, and a tetrasodium EDTA chelator. Owned by Kao, a Japanese personal-care conglomerate that has phased microbeads from its formulations globally.
At a glance
Key ingredients 23
WaterNeutral
Solvent base. Inert and necessary for formulation.
See more about Water →GlycerinGood
Humectant that draws water into the skin; offsets alcohol's drying effect. Safe, well-tolerated, and biodegradable.
See more about Glycerin →Cetearyl AlcoholNeutral
Fatty alcohol emollient/thickener.
See more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Mineral Oil
Highly refined petroleum oil. Inert and effective occlusive but petroleum-derived. Pharmaceutical-grade purification is required to avoid PAH contamination.
See more about Mineral Oil →Dimethicone
Silicone emollient. Inert on skin but persistent in environment.
See more about Dimethicone →Glyceryl Stearate SENeutral
Self-emulsifying emollient blend.
See more about Glyceryl Stearate SE →Behentrimonium MethosulfateNeutral
Mild cationic conditioning agent. Generally well-tolerated.
See more about Behentrimonium Methosulfate →PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-derived emulsifier. Potential 1,4-dioxane contamination depending on manufacturer purification.
See more about PEG-100 Stearate →Phenoxyethanol
Synthetic preservative considered safer than parabens but linked to skin irritation in some users at higher concentrations. EU caps at 1%.
See more about Phenoxyethanol →Sodium ChlorideNeutral
Salt; viscosity adjuster.
See more about Sodium Chloride →Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf ExtractGood
Botanical extract with antimicrobial and soothing properties.
See more about Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract →Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGood
Licorice root derivative; calming and anti-inflammatory for sensitive skin.
See more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate →Ceramide 3 (NP)Very Good
Identical to a ceramide found in healthy human skin barrier. Genuinely restores barrier function in compromised skin.
See more about Ceramide 3 (NP) →Ceramide 6-II (AP)Very Good
Alpha-hydroxy ceramide; supports lamellar lipid structure of healthy skin.
See more about Ceramide 6-II (AP) →Ceramide 1 (EOP)Very Good
Critical ceramide species for skin barrier integrity. Deficient in atopic and dry skin.
See more about Ceramide 1 (EOP) →PhytosphingosineGood
Sphingolipid precursor; supports the body's own ceramide production.
See more about Phytosphingosine →CholesterolGood
Native skin lipid; essential component of healthy barrier alongside ceramides and fatty acids.
See more about Cholesterol →Sodium Lauroyl LactylateGood
Naturally-derived emulsifier from lactic acid; mild and biodegradable.
See more about Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate →CarbomerNeutral
Synthetic polymer used as a thickener/gel-former. Inert and not absorbed through skin.
See more about Carbomer →Xanthan GumGood
Naturally-fermented polysaccharide thickener; biodegradable.
See more about Xanthan Gum →EthylhexylglycerinBad
Synthetic preservative-booster — CIR-safe and well-tolerated, but a petroleum-derived synthetic that clean brands typically replace with food-grade/natural systems. Minor clean-beauty demerit.
See more about Ethylhexylglycerin →Tetrasodium EDTA
Synthetic chelator that binds metal ions to stabilize formulation. Poorly biodegradable in waterways.
See more about Tetrasodium EDTA →Citric AcidNeutral
pH adjuster.
See more about Citric Acid →Get the full breakdown in the Scout app
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