Curél Moisture Lotion is one of many brands of beauty products owned by the Kao Brands Company. Their line of moisture lotions includes five formulas: original Continuous Comfort, fragrance-free original, intensive Ultra Healing, natural healing and Itch Defense. The ingredients in this article are found in the original lotion. The fragrance-free formula is identical, except it does not contain shea butter or fragrance.

Water is the first ingredient listed because it is found in the highest concentration. The Cosmetics Cop notes that we only need a 10% concentration of water in the outer layer of the skin to maintain softness and that lipid content is more important to prevent the loss of water from the skin.

Glycerin works as a humectant that absorbs and holds water. It attracts moisture from the outer environment, and pulls it from deeper layers of the skin, to create an outer layer of moisture that prevents dryness. Since humectants may take water away from skin under the surface, they are combined with other emollients to create a better balance.

This ingredient reduces static electricity by eliminating electrical charges on the surface of the skin.

Petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, is made by distilling petroleum. Petrolatum, and its liquid equivalent called mineral oil, is one of the safest moisturizing ingredients, states the Cosmetics Cop. It softens and heals skin, and reduces inflammation.

Isopropyl palmitate is an emollient, so it softens and conditions the skin. It also helps thicken the lotion.

Another emollient ingredient, cetyl alcohol also thickens, helps the lotion spread evenly and ensures that the ingredients stay mixed together.

Butyrospermum Park II is better known as shea butter, a natural fat that comes from seeds of the African shea tree. In addition to conditioning and moisturizing the skin, research published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Oleo Science concluded that shea butter reduces inflammation.

Obtained from the Arabic gum tree, this ingredient is a natural thickening agent.

Dimethicone conditions, moisturizes and protects the skin.

Sodium chloride reduces the density and controls the thickness of the lotion.

This protein complex produces a film when it’s applied to the skin and also helps control thickness.

Curél Lotion contains two preservatives, methylparaben and propylparaben. One of the most widely used preservatives, parabens prevent the growth of bacteria, molds and fungus, states the FDA. Parabens are similar to estrogen, which raised questions about their potential effect. The FDA determined that they are safe in levels up to 25 percent and most cosmetics use them at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 percent.