What's Actually in Our Body Lotion - And Why It Works
Most people pick a body lotion based on how it smells or how the packaging looks. If you've ever bought something that felt great in the store and did nothing for your skin two weeks later, the ingredients are usually why.
This post breaks down exactly what's in our body lotion, why each ingredient is there, and how they work together. If you're trying to figure out whether this is the right product for your skin, this should help.
The Formula
What's in it and why
The lotion is built around a water-in-oil emulsion - which means it combines water-based hydration with oil-based nourishment in a single formula that absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. Here's how each ingredient contributes:
The heaviest hitter in the formula. Shea butter is rich in oleic and stearic fatty acids, which closely match the skin's own lipid profile - making it exceptionally effective at restoring the skin barrier. It absorbs fully rather than sitting on the surface, and its high concentration of vitamins A and E supports long-term skin health.
These three ingredients work as one system and their job is to keep water and oil blended together evenly. Without a good emulsifier, the formula would separate within days. This particular system is plant-derived and unusually gentle, which matters because some emulsifiers can disrupt the skin barrier over time. Cetearyl Alcohol also adds to the creamy, smooth texture of the finished lotion.
Technically a liquid wax, not an oil - which is what makes it so effective. Jojoba's molecular structure is closer to human sebum than almost any other plant ingredient, so the skin recognizes it and absorbs it readily without clogging pores. It balances the heavier feel of shea butter and helps the formula feel lightweight despite being genuinely nourishing.
High in linoleic acid, which is the fatty acid most commonly deficient in dry and sensitive skin. Linoleic acid is a key building block of the skin's moisture barrier - when it's low, the barrier weakens and moisture escapes faster. Safflower oil is one of the most effective ways to replenish it. It's lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn't feel greasy.
Rich in vitamin E and oleic acid, sunflower oil softens the skin and helps the other oils in the formula absorb more evenly. It's non-comedogenic and well tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. In combination with safflower and jojoba, it rounds out the oil phase of the formula without making it feel heavy.
Colloidal oats are one of the most well-researched ingredients for sensitive and irritated skin - they contain avenanthramides, compounds with documented anti-inflammatory properties that calm redness and itching. They also form a light film on the skin that helps slow moisture loss. If you have eczema-prone, reactive, or easily irritated skin, this is one of the key reasons this formula may work well for you.
A humectant - meaning it draws moisture from the environment into the skin and holds it there. Glycerin works differently from oils and butters, which mainly prevent moisture loss. It actively pulls hydration in. The combination of humectant (glycerin) and occlusive/emollient ingredients (shea, jojoba, safflower) is what gives this formula staying power through the day rather than just feeling good immediately after application.
Any formula that contains water needs a preservation system - without one, bacteria and mould can grow within days. This combination works by maintaining a slightly acidic pH (between 4.8 and 5.2), which is naturally hostile to microbial growth. That pH range also happens to align closely with healthy skin's own pH, which means it supports rather than disrupts the skin barrier. Gluconolactone is derived from fruit and honey and is well tolerated by sensitive skin. Sodium Benzoate occurs naturally in many fruits and spices. Neither is a paraben.
On pH: The lotion is formulated to a pH of 4.8–5.2. Healthy skin sits between 4.5 and 5.5. Staying within that range matters because products that are too alkaline can disrupt the acid mantle - the skin's natural protective layer - leading to dryness, sensitivity, and increased susceptibility to irritation. Most drugstore lotions don't disclose their pH. Ours is deliberate.
Skin Types
Who is this lotion for?
The formula works across a range of skin types, but it was designed with specific conditions in mind.
The combination of shea butter, glycerin, and the three oils provides sustained moisture that holds up through the day - not just for the first hour. Particularly effective in dry climates and winter conditions.
Colloidal oats and the gentle Ritamulse emulsifier system make this well-suited for skin that reacts easily. No parabens, no sulfates, no synthetic fragrance in the unscented variant.
Colloidal oats have documented benefits for eczema-prone skin. Combined with linoleic-rich safflower oil and the skin-compatible pH, this formula supports the skin barrier rather than stressing it.
Jojoba and safflower keep the formula lightweight enough for everyday use without feeling heavy or greasy. The unscented variant works well as a daily body lotion year-round.
The Variants
Three options, same formula
All three variants use the same base. The only difference is the scent - so you're choosing based on preference, not performance.
No fragrance of any kind. The best choice for very sensitive skin, pregnant women, or anyone who prefers their skincare without scent.
Scented with Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Population) essential oil - a variety known for a true, balanced lavender scent with mild calming properties.
A warm, soft vanilla scent using natural aroma. A good everyday option if you want something subtle and familiar without being overpowering.
Want to Know More?
Every ingredient has its own entry
If you want to go deeper on any individual ingredient - where it comes from, what it does, and why we chose it - we've documented all of them in our ingredient glossary.