Identify the different jobs in the lotion
Start by separating water-attracting materials from materials used to soften and protect the skin surface. Cosmetic ingredient functions are recorded in CosIng, but that database does not establish a finished lotion's safety or performance.1
| Group | Examples | What you can learn |
|---|---|---|
| Humectant | Glycerin | Can help retain moisture; the concentration is not provided2 |
| Emollient or protective base | Petrolatum, Mineral Oil | Look up each distinct material and its functions34 |
| Silicone emollient | Dimethicone | A different material from mineral oil or petrolatum5 |
| Structure and emulsification | Cetearyl Alcohol | A fatty alcohol with formulation functions6 |
| Other components | Preservatives and fragrance | Look for the purpose of each name, not a universal score |
Why the order is not a concentration chart
An ingredients declaration usually orders components by weight. EU and US rules have exceptions for low-concentration ingredients; labels do not supply a percentage for each component.78 Two lotions can list many identical ingredients and still differ in consistency, feel and performance.
Compare the first ingredients to identify the general base, but do not infer that a popular ingredient near the top guarantees a particular result. Read the ingredient order guide for the legal and practical limits.
Fragrance, preservatives and misleading shorthand
A lotion may include Parfum or listed fragrance constituents. Checking the full list is more informative than relying only on the words natural or clean on the front. See clean beauty claims and fragrance-free versus unscented.
Ingredients used for preservation should be read in context. The cosmetic preservatives guide describes the purpose of preservatives without converting their presence into an unsupported product verdict.
A practical way to compare body lotions
- Identify the humectants and the emollient or occlusive base.
- Compare the listed oils, fatty alcohols and silicones.
- Note fragrance and preservative differences that matter to you.
- Keep unknown names marked unknown.
- Remember the complete formula and exposure are not stated on the ingredient label.
Try the free browser ingredient checker with a lotion's ingredients or compare two lists. Explore more labels in the body-care ingredient hub.
Sources
- European Commission. CosIng, the cosmetic ingredient database: what it is and the limits of its information. single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng entry GLYCERIN: INCI name and functions, as exported on 9 October 2026. ec.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng entry PETROLATUM: INCI name, description, functions and its note on Annex II entry 904. ec.europa.eu Checked 11 October 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng entry MINERAL OIL: INCI name, description, functions and its note on Annex II entry 778. ec.europa.eu Checked 11 October 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng entry DIMETHICONE: INCI name and functions. ec.europa.eu Checked 11 October 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng entry CETEARYL ALCOHOL: INCI name, chemical description, European Pharmacopoeia name and functions, as exported on 9 October 2026. ec.europa.eu Checked 11 October 2026.
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 1 May 2025, Articles 14, 19 and 33. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu Checked 10 October 2026.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Cosmetics Labeling Guide (content current as of 25 February 2022). fda.gov Checked 10 October 2026.
Written for this site from the sources above and checked against them on 11 October 2026. Not reviewed by a dermatologist or toxicologist, and not medical advice. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.