
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Moisturising lotion with 14 ingredients
FEATURES
Dermatologically-proven blend of niacinamide, panthenol, hydrating glycerin; enriched with avocado oil; instantly soothes and hydrates for 48 hours; defends against skin sensitivity signs; restores moisture barrier in 1 week; non-comedogenic; free from fragrance and parabens; hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No fragrance, No parabens
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Improves Resilience Of Sensitive Skin Soothes Skin Hydrates Skin Restores Skin's Natural Moisture Barrier Reduces Irritation Roughness Tightness And DrynessBudget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What CETAPHIL Says
Product Description:
Lightweight and fast absorbing lotion that's specially formulated with a new and improved formula containing a dermatologically-proven blend of niacinamide, panthenol, and hydrating glycerin to improve the resilience of sensitive skin. Enriched with avocado oil, this daily use lotion is clinically proven to instantly soothe skin and hydrate skin for 48 hours. Defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity, including a weakened skin barrier, irritation, roughness, tightness and dryness.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua,Glycerin,Isopropyl-Palmitate,Cetearyl-Alcohol,Ceteareth-20,Panthenol,Niacinamide,Tocopheryl-Acetate,Dimethicone,Persea-Gratissima-(Avocado)-Oil,Helianthus-Annuus-(Sunflower)-Seed-Oil,Pantolactone,Glyceryl-Stearate,Sodium-Benzoate,Benzyl-Alcohol,Citric-Acid
Key Ingredients
Niacinamide,Panthenol,Glycerin,Avocado-Oil
Ingredients Details
Ceteareth-20
Common Name(s): Polyethylene glycol cetearyl ether,peg-20 cetearyl ether
CAS Number: 68439-49-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides high-hlb o/w emulsification for stable cream formation from ethoxylated cetearyl alcohol.
Why It's Used: Classic self-emulsifying wax component for standard pharmaceutical and cosmetic cream formulation.
How It Works: 20 eo units on cetearyl alcohol chain provide hlb ~15-17 for strong o/w emulsification. often pre-blended with cetearyl alcohol as 'emulsifying wax' for simplified cream making. combined low-hlb cetearyl alcohol + high-hlb ceteareth-20 forms a balanced self-emulsifying system.
Typically Found In: Classic pharmaceutical and cosmetic creams
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ ethoxylated fatty alcohol emulsifier
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ8%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional โ peg petroleum; cetearyl vegetable
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Ceteareth-20's combination with cetearyl alcohol in the classic 'emulsifying wax nf' creates what is called a 'mixed emulsifier system' where the fatty alcohol forms lamellar crystal phases that physically trap and stabilize oil droplets. this physical (lamellar crystal) + chemical (hlb balance) dual stabilization provides superior stability compared to either component alone.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Dimethicone
Common Name(s): Pdms,polydimethylsiloxane,silicone fluid
CAS Number: 9006-65-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides silicone-characteristic silky feel and skin protection with adjustable viscosity.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic silicone โ sets the gold standard for silky application feel, spreadability, and skin protection in virtually all skin care categories.
How It Works: Polydimethylsiloxane chain flexibility provides extremely low surface tension and high spreadability. inert si-o backbone provides chemical stability and excellent skin tolerance. occlusive film formation reduces tewl. higher viscosity grades provide more intense conditioning.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,foundations,primers,sunscreens โ nearly universal
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ polydimethylsiloxane
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Dimethicone's exceptional silky feel arises from its very low intermolecular attractive forces (weak van der waals forces due to non-polar methyl groups) that allow silicone chains to slide freely over skin. the coefficient of kinetic friction for pdms against skin (~0.04) is among the lowest of any cosmetic material โ explaining why even small amounts transform product feel.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Niacinamide
Common Name(s): Vitamin b3,nicotinamide,pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS Number: 98-92-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, reduces visible pore size, regulates sebum production, fades dark spots, and improves skin texture and tone.
Why It's Used: It is used because it addresses multiple skin concerns at once without irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. it is stable in formulations and pairs well with most other actives.
How It Works: Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes (pigment packets) to skin cells, reducing hyperpigmentation. it also stimulates ceramide synthesis to strengthen the skin barrier and reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine activity.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,toners,cleansers,eye creams,sunscreens,primers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,brightening,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%โ10% (typical: 5%; higher concentrations may cause flushing in some individuals)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes โ synthetic origin
Source Notes: Commercially produced via synthesis from nicotinic acid or 3-cyanopyridine. no animal-derived sources used in cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; concentrations above 10% may cause temporary flushing in sensitive individuals
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: At concentrations >10%, some users experience niacin flush (transient redness/tingling). generally very well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ one of the best-tolerated actives for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Extensively studied and considered very safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant systemic toxicity concerns at topical concentrations.
Works Well With: Retinol,peptides,ahas/bhas,hyaluronic acid,ceramides,zinc,vitamin c,spf
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) may theoretically convert to niacin โ use at different times if using pure l-ascorbic acid above 15%
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Niacinamide is a precursor to nad+ and nadp+, coenzymes vital to cellular energy metabolism. its benefits for dna repair and mitochondrial function make it a key ingredient in anti-aging strategies.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,pubmed clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12