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Intensive Care Soothing Hydration

Intensive Care Soothing Hydration

Product Description

Vaseline Intensive Care Soothing Hydration is a fast-absorbing, non-greasy daily body lotion built on the brand's signature Ultra-Hydrating Lipids (micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly) plus 1% Aloe Vera Extract. Clinically tested to deliver 88% more moisture versus untreated skin and up to 48 hours of hydration, it's a wallet-friendly drugstore workhorse for relieving everyday dryness and tightness over large areas of the body.

🇺🇸 Western Drugstore (American Heritage Brand) · Made in United States
✔ 1% Aloe Vera Extract ✔ 48-Hour Moisture ✔ 88% More Moisture (Clinically Tested) ✔ Non-Greasy & Fast-Absorbing ✔ Pregnancy-Safe Formula ✔ Sulfate-Free ✔ Budget-Friendly
Pregnancy Safe
Yes ✔
Fungal Acne Safe
No ✗
Comedogenic Rating
3/5
🧴
Type
Body Lotion
🌍
Origin
USA
📏
Size
20.3 fl oz
🧪
Ingredients
23
💰
Price
~$5.99

✨ Texture & Feel

💧
Consistency
Light cream lotion
👃
Scent
Fresh aloe (fragranced)
⏱️
Absorption
Fast (~30 sec)
🎯
Finish
Soft, non-greasy
💎

Ultra-Hydrating Lipids

Micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly (petrolatum + mineral oil) lock moisture deep into the skin and cut water loss for lasting comfort.

🌿

1% Aloe Vera Extract

Aloe leaf juice powder helps refresh, soothe and calm dry, irritated skin while adding lightweight hydration.

48-Hour Moisture

Clinically tested to deliver up to two full days of hydration and 88% more moisture versus untreated skin.

🪶

Non-Greasy & Fast-Absorbing

Melts in quickly so you can get dressed within minutes—no sticky or oily residue left behind.

🛡️ Safety & Compatibility

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

No retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens. A simple emollient body lotion that's widely considered fine during pregnancy and nursing.

⚠️
Not Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Contains stearic acid, isopropyl myristate and several fatty-acid esters (glyceryl/glycol/PEG-100 stearate) that can feed Malassezia yeast.

🌸
Contains Fragrance (Parfum)

The fresh aloe scent comes from added fragrance. Generally well tolerated on the body, but fragrance-sensitive or reactive skin should patch test first.

🔬
Contains Parabens

Uses methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives. Regarded as safe at cosmetic levels by regulators, though paraben-avoiders may prefer an alternative.

🧴
Sulfate & Drying-Alcohol Free

No SLS/SLES sulfates and no harsh drying alcohols, so it won't strip or dehydrate the skin barrier.

🧪
Layering Friendly

Plays well over body serums and after showering. Designed for body use—face users with acne-prone skin should be cautious (see comedogenic note).

🔬 Ingredient Breakdown

💦 Glycerin ~3-10% Proven

The second ingredient on the list and the star humectant. Glycerin is naturally present in skin and pulls water into the outer layers to keep them soft and supple.

  • Mechanism: A powerhouse humectant that draws water into the stratum corneum and supports hydration, elasticity and repair.
  • Compatibility: Non-irritating, works across all skin types and plays well with virtually every other ingredient.
Excellent for dry skin, barrier repair and scar healing—one of the best-studied moisturizing actives available.

🛢️ Petrolatum Occlusive base Proven

This is the "Vaseline Jelly" the brand is famous for. As an occlusive it forms a protective barrier that dramatically slows moisture evaporation from the skin.

  • Efficacy: Reduces transepidermal water loss by up to 99%, making it one of the most effective moisturizing agents for dry, compromised skin.
  • Safety: Comedogenic rating of 0 in modern human and updated rabbit-ear testing—and fungal-acne safe (no fatty acids for Malassezia to feed on).
💡
Pro tip: apply to slightly damp skin right after showering to seal in the most moisture.

🪨 Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) Emollient Proven

A highly refined, cosmetic-grade mineral oil that softens skin and reinforces the occlusive moisture seal alongside petrolatum.

  • Evidence: A 2017 review concluded cosmetic mineral oils and waxes pose no consumer risk via absorption.
  • Pore safety: Cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity on human skin; it is also fungal-acne safe as an inert hydrocarbon.
The old "mineral oil clogs pores" claim came from industrial-grade testing—cosmetic grade is well-tolerated.

🌿 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder ~1% Promising

The brand's signature 1% Aloe Vera Extract. Aloe is rich in polysaccharides that mimic skin's surface carbohydrates and help bind water.

  • Soothing: Contains components shown to reduce irritation, itchiness and visible redness.
  • Antioxidants: Naturally provides vitamins A, C and E that help neutralize free radicals.
⚠️
Aloe soothes sunburn but does not protect against UV—always pair with dedicated sun protection.

🧴 Dimethicone Emollient Proven

A silicone that gives the lotion its smooth, fast-absorbing, non-greasy slip and helps form a breathable protective layer on the skin.

  • Function: Conditions and protects the skin surface; supports the soft, silky finish reviewers praise.
  • Tolerance: Not absorbed into skin, so it's unlikely to irritate—though silicone-allergic users should avoid it.

🧈 Stearic Acid Fatty acid Proven

A fatty acid found naturally in skin that works with ceramides and cholesterol to support the barrier, while thickening and stabilizing the lotion.

  • Safety: The CIR Expert Panel concluded it's safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating.
⚠️
As a free C18 fatty acid it can feed Malassezia yeast—one reason this lotion is not fungal-acne safe.

🧪 Isopropyl Myristate Emollient Promising

An emollient and texture enhancer that softens skin and helps other ingredients absorb better, contributing to the lotion's quick sink-in feel.

  • Comedogenicity: Rated 3-5 depending on concentration—the main reason this product earns a higher comedogenic score.
⚠️
May worsen acne-prone skin and is not fungal-acne safe. Fine for most bodies, but skip on breakout-prone facial skin.

🧬 Cetyl Alcohol & Glyceryl Stearate Emollients Proven

A fatty alcohol and a glycerin-stearic acid ester that work as emollients and emulsifiers, keeping oil and water blended into a smooth, stable cream.

  • Note: Despite "alcohol" in the name, cetyl alcohol is a moisturizing fatty alcohol—not a drying one. The FDA permits it in "alcohol-free" products.
  • Tolerance: Glyceryl stearate is non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic and non-photoallergenic.
⚠️
Both are C18-derived esters that may not be fungal-acne safe.

🌸 Parfum (Fragrance) Fragrance Promising

Provides the signature fresh, fruity-sweet aloe scent. Fragrance is a blend of aroma chemicals and is the most common reason for sensitivity in otherwise gentle lotions.

⚠️
This product is not fragrance-free. Those with eczema, rosacea or fragrance sensitivity may prefer Vaseline's unscented Advanced Repair instead.

🛡️ Phenoxyethanol, Methyl- & Propylparaben <1% Proven

The preservative system that keeps this water-based lotion free of mold, yeast and bacteria across its shelf life.

  • Role: Phenoxyethanol is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial; the parabens extend shelf life and prevent microbial growth.
  • Context: Parabens remain controversial but are considered safe by major regulators at cosmetic-use levels.

23 ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Stearamide Amp, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, CI 77891.

FREE FROM: Sulfates · Harsh Drying Alcohols · Essential Oils · Retinoids · Salicylic Acid · Hydroquinone · Chemical Sunscreens · Silicone-heavy actives. (Note: this product does contain fragrance and parabens.)

🔄 Where It Fits in Your Routine

1
Body Wash
2
Towel Dry
3
Body Serum
4
This Lotion
5
Hand Cream
6
SPF (Daytime)

Use as your main body moisturizer. Apply to slightly damp skin right after showering to seal in the most hydration, then layer sunscreen on exposed areas during the day.

📝 How to Use

1

Cleanse & pat dry

Shower or wash as usual and gently towel off, leaving skin slightly damp for better absorption.

2

Dispense

Pump a coin-to-palm-sized amount, adjusting for how large and dry the area is.

3

Massage in

Smooth over the body in circular motions until fully absorbed—it sinks in within about 30 seconds.

4

Repeat daily

Use morning and/or night, focusing on dry zones like elbows, knees, shins and hands.

👤 Who Is It For?

✅ Perfect for you if:

  • You have dry, dehydrated or rough body skin
  • You want fast, non-greasy hydration for large areas
  • You're shopping on a budget and want maximum value
  • You like a light, fresh aloe scent
  • You're pregnant or nursing and want a simple moisturizer

❌ Consider alternatives if:

  • You deal with fungal acne / Malassezia folliculitis
  • You're sensitive to fragrance or avoid parabens
  • You want it for acne-prone facial skin
  • You prefer ceramide- or hyaluronic-acid-led formulas
  • You have very reactive eczema or rosacea

🎯 Skin Type Compatibility

Dry Skin ★★★★★ Excellent

Its core purpose—occlusives plus glycerin deliver deep, long-lasting moisture for tight, flaky skin.

Normal / Combination ★★★★★ Excellent

Lightweight and fast-absorbing, so it hydrates without feeling heavy across most body skin.

Sensitive Skin ★★★☆☆ Moderate

Soothing aloe helps, but added fragrance means very reactive skin should patch test first.

Oily Skin (Body) ★★★★☆ Good

Non-greasy finish works for oily body skin, though the rich occlusive base may feel like too much for some.

Acne / Fungal-Acne Prone ★★☆☆☆ Poor

Fatty-acid esters and isopropyl myristate are not Malassezia-safe and may clog pores—best avoided on breakout-prone areas.

📈 Results Timeline

Immediately

Instant softness & relief

Skin feels smoother and less tight on first application. Clinically tested for up to 88% more moisture vs untreated skin.

90%+ noticed instantly
24-48 Hours

Sustained hydration

The occlusive lipid barrier holds moisture in, with hydration clinically shown to last up to 48 hours between applications.

~80% report all-day comfort
1-2 Weeks

Less flaking & roughness

With daily use, rough patches on elbows, knees and shins look and feel noticeably smoother and more even.

~70% see improvement
3-4 Weeks

Healthier-looking barrier

Consistent daily moisturizing supports a more resilient, healthy-looking skin barrier over the longer term.

~65% report lasting results

⭐ Ratings by Platform

🛒 Amazon
★★★★★ 4.7
Rating
25,000+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Pump can arrive broken or jam before the bottle is empty.
🛒 Walmart
★★★★★ 4.6
Rating
3,000+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Scent is divisive—some wish for the old cucumber version.
💅 Target
★★★★★ 4.6
Rating
1,200+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Fragrance can feel strong for very sensitive skin.
🌿 SkinSort
★★★★★ 4.7
Score 83
42 routines
Community Use
⚠️ Main complaint: Contains parabens and fragrance some users prefer to avoid.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

✅ Praised

  • Genuinely non-greasy and absorbs fast
  • Excellent value—huge 20.3 oz bottle for the price
  • Effective on very dry, cracked skin and hands
  • Light, pleasant fresh-aloe scent
  • Clinically backed 48-hour, 88% moisture claims

❌ Criticized

  • Pump quality is inconsistent (breaks/jams)
  • Not fungal-acne safe
  • Contains fragrance and parabens
  • Scent reformulations disappoint loyal buyers
  • Isopropyl myristate raises comedogenic risk on the face

💰 Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)

90% Match
Equate Soothing Hydration Body Lotion (Walmart)
$3.50 Budget Pick

Walmart's store-brand near-clone with a very similar glycerin + occlusive + aloe formula. Cheaper, with comparable feel and hydration; packaging and exact fragrance differ.

82% Match
Jergens Aloe Relief Body Lotion
$5.99 Budget Pick

Another aloe-forward, fast-absorbing drugstore lotion at the same price point. Lighter occlusive load, so slightly less rich on very dry skin but equally non-greasy.

75% Match
NIVEA Aloe Hydration Body Lotion
$6.99 Similar

Glycerin- and aloe-based with a refreshing scent and 48-hour moisture claim. Similar everyday hydration; texture is a touch more gel-like than Vaseline's creamier feel.

🔄 Comparison with Competitors

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

~$12.99
Key Ingredients 3 Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid
Size 12 fl oz
Fragrance Fragrance-free
Fungal-Acne Safe Mostly (some esters)
Best For Sensitive / barrier-focused skin

Lubriderm Daily Moisture (Unscented)

~$11.99
Key Ingredients Pro-Ceramide + Shea + Glycerin
Size 24 fl oz
Fragrance Fragrance-free option
Fungal-Acne Safe No
Best For Lightweight unscented daily use

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

~$9.99
Key Ingredients Colloidal Oatmeal + Glycerin
Size 18 fl oz
Fragrance Fragrance-free
Fungal-Acne Safe Mostly
Best For Itchy, oatmeal-soothed dry skin

📦 Storage & Shelf Life

📅
Period After Opening (PAO)

12 months after opening

🏠
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.

📦
Packaging

Recyclable pump bottle (recycle bottle and pump together).

✈️
Travel Friendly

The 20.3 oz bottle is too large for carry-on; decant or buy the 10 oz / 3.4 oz sizes for flights.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes—it's generally considered safe. The formula contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens, which are the actives most often flagged during pregnancy. It's a simple emollient body lotion. As always, if you have a high-risk pregnancy or specific concerns, check with your doctor.

No. It contains stearic acid, isopropyl myristate and several fatty-acid esters (glyceryl stearate, glycol stearate, PEG-100 stearate, cetyl alcohol) that can feed Malassezia yeast. If you're prone to fungal acne or Malassezia folliculitis, choose a fungal-acne-safe alternative instead.

Yes. As a basic body moisturizer with no competing actives, it layers fine over or alongside retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA treatments. It can even buffer dryness from those actives. Apply your treatment first, let it absorb, then seal with this lotion.

It's best for dry, dehydrated and normal-to-combination body skin. It also works for oily body skin thanks to the non-greasy finish. It's less ideal for fungal-acne-prone or very fragrance-sensitive skin, and isn't designed for acne-prone facial use.

Immediately. Skin feels softer and less tight on first use, with clinically tested results of 88% more moisture versus untreated skin and hydration lasting up to 48 hours. Rough, flaky patches typically look smoother within 1-2 weeks of daily use.

It's your main body moisturizer, applied as the final hydrating step after cleansing and any body serums. For best results, smooth it onto slightly damp skin right after showering to lock in moisture. During the day, follow with sunscreen on exposed skin.

On the body, it's low-risk for most people. However, it contains isopropyl myristate (comedogenic rating 3-5), which is why we rate the overall formula around 3/5. The petrolatum and mineral oil themselves are non-comedogenic (rated 0). Acne-prone users should avoid using it on the face.

About 12 months after opening (12M PAO). Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Thanks to its preservative system it has a stable shelf life, but it's best to finish the bottle within a year of first use.

★★★★☆
4.4 out of 5

Verdict: Vaseline Intensive Care Soothing Hydration is a hard-to-beat value pick for everyday dry-skin body care. Its petrolatum-and-glycerin base plus 1% aloe delivers genuinely fast, non-greasy, clinically backed hydration in a generous bottle for around six dollars. The trade-offs are predictable for a drugstore staple: it's fragranced, uses parabens, isn't fungal-acne safe, and the pump quality can be hit-or-miss. If you want simple, effective, affordable body moisture—and don't have fungal acne or fragrance sensitivity—it's an easy recommendation. Reach for CeraVe, Lubriderm Unscented or Aveeno if you need a fragrance-free or ceramide-led formula instead.

Product Overview

question
lightbulb What are Quick Product Notes?

Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.

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Quick Product Notes

Click on icons for more information
question
lightbulb What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?

Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.

We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.

Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you

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Notable Effects & Ingredients

brightening Brightening from 1 ingredient(s):
Glycerin
wound Promotes Wound Healing from 1 ingredient(s):
Glycerin
question
lightbulb What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?

Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.

We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.

One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!

Awesome, I Understand!

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Click on icons for more information
dry-skin Dry Skin
1
oily-skin Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
sensitive-skin Sensitive Skin
question
lightbulb What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?

Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.

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Ingredient Safety Breakdown

EWG Health Ratings
Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Unknown risk
52% 17% 4% 26%

Product ingredient list

Showing first 5 of 23 ingredients
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1 Unknown
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
2 A
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
brightening Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
1 A
Stearic Acid
Masking, Fragrance, Emulsion Stabilising, Emulsifying, Sufactant, Refatting, Cleansing
1 B
Isopropyl Myristate
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming, Emollient, Fragrance, Binding Agent, Binding
0 Unknown
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent
VIEW ALL INGREDIENTS