Gold Bond Lotion Reviews: A Review of The 8 Best Gold Bond Lotions

Gold Bond is a drugstore brand that’s known for their ​​original Gold Bond Medicated Powder, which was first introduced back in 1908.

Today, the brand formulates a variety of personal care products, including an extensive collection of Gold Bond lotions to help alleviate skin dryness and other common skin ailments such as itching and redness. 

With dozens of products to choose from, it may seem challenging to select the best Gold Bond lotion for your skin type and concerns. In order to help you out, below we’ll review the top 8 best Gold Bond lotions.

We’ll discuss the key ingredients in Gold Bond lotions, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) the ingredients in these products.

We’ll also share some Gold Bond Lotion reviews so you can get a better idea of what customers really think about these products.

What Are The Top 8 Best Gold Bond Lotions?

Gold Bond sells a variety of creams, lotions, ointments, and powders. Since we’re focusing on the lotions in this review, here’s our breakdown of the top 8 best Gold Bond Lotions. 

Gold Bond Healing Lotion

Gold Bond Healing Lotion has a rich, creamy texture that goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly without feeling heavy or greasy. For a drugstore lotion, we’re actually impressed with the array of beneficial ingredients in this formula. 

We like that the base of this lotion consists of humectants like glycerin and aloe vera for hydration, silicones to enhance the texture, and petrolatum (aka Vaseline) to reduce the rate of water loss through skin.

Petrolatum is also an excellent ingredient to use on compromised skin since it functions as a skin protectant. It forms a protective layer on the surface of skin to trap water while also protecting from environmental elements that could irritate the skin. 

The formula also includes skin-soothing chamomile extract, as well as antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E. 

One problem with this Gold Bond Lotion is the inclusion of methylparaben as the preservative. 

Also, the original Gold Bond Healing Lotion contains a synthetic fragrance blend. Fortunately, the brand offers a fragrance free version, and that’s the one we would recommend. 

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Healing Lotion contains an impressive array of beneficial ingredients, such as humectants, petrolatum, chamomile, and antioxidants, but we’d recommend choosing the fragrance-free version of this product. 

Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion

If you have diabetes, you may notice that your skin gets quite dry, which is caused by high blood glucose (BG) levels. While it’s important to work with your doctor to get your BG levels in the ideal range, using a moisturizing lotion can help to alleviate the dry skin. Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion could be a good choice, but let’s take a look at the ingredients in this formula. 

Hydroxyethyl urea is one of the star ingredients in the Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion. As a derivative of urea, hydroxyethyl urea can help to replenish the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

According to an article by Practical Dermatology, the NMF is composed principally of free amino acids, as well as lactic acid and urea. All of these substances work together to keep the skin’s surface intact, supple, and hydrated. 

The NMF can become depleted as we age, and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. The result is visibly dry, tight-feeling, flaky skin.

Therefore, using skin care ingredients that replenish the components of the NMF — such as hydroxyethyl urea in Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion — can help to reduce dryness and tightness to keep it soft, smooth and healthy.

We like that the formula also includes several skin-soothing ingredients, such as oat, ginger, shea butter, chamomile, and bisabolol. All of these ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties, which means they can help to reduce redness and keep the skin calm. 

One thing to note is that this formula contains two parabens as preservatives. 

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion contains a pretty good mix of skin-softening emollients with hydroxyethyl urea and soothing botanicals, but keep in mind there’s two parabens in this formula. 

Gold Bond Anti Itch Lotion

Gold Bond Anti Itch Lotion is a medicated lotion that includes two active ingredients: menthol 0.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1%. 

Menthol is a counterirritant, which means it works by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm. These feelings on the skin distract you from feeling the itching.

Pramoxine is a local anesthetic that works by numbing the skin where it’s applied to help minimize the sensation of itching and pain.

Clinical studies have shown that pramoxine hydrochloride begins working in as little as two minutes, and its effects last for up to eight hours.

Keep in mind that both menthol and pramoxine hydrochloride are only short-term solutions for itchy skin as they just distract you from the itching sensation rather than actually addressing the root cause. 

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Anti Itch Lotion is a medicated lotion that includes menthol 0.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1% as active ingredients to alleviate itchy skin by distracting you from the itchy sensation. 

Gold Bond Medicated Body Lotion

Similar to the Gold Bond Anti Itch Lotion, this Medicated Body Lotion contains menthol 0.5% as the active ingredient to help reduce itching. Remember, menthol simply distracts you from feeling the itching sensation, and it does not actually address the cause of itchy skin.

The rest of the formula consists of many of the same ingredients as other Gold Bond lotions, including humectants like glycerin and aloe vera for hydration, silicones to enhance the texture, and petrolatum (aka Vaseline) to reduce the rate of water loss through skin.

Of note, this formula contains methylparaben and a synthetic fragrance blend.

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Medicated Body Lotion contains menthol 0.5% as the active ingredient to help reduce itching, as well as humectants for hydration, silicones to enhance the texture, and petrolatum to reduce the rate of water loss through skin.

Gold Bond Crepe Corrector

This Gold Bond lotion for crepey skin was created to address aging skin that has lost its ability to retain moisture, leading to finely wrinkled, dry, thin skin — like crepe paper.

Gold Bond Crepe Corrector actually contains a pretty decent combination of beneficial ingredients, including hydroxyethyl urea, dimethicone, petrolatum, “Stress Response Proteins”,and AcquaCell.

The “Stress Response Proteins” in this formula are derived from the Resurrection Plant (Selaginella Lepidophylla) natively found in the Chihuahua Desert in Mexico. The Resurrection Plant can survive in the harsh, dry desert climate by curling up into a tight ball to conserve water, which gives the plant the appearance of being dead.

However, when exposed to moisture again, the Resurrection Plant springs back to life. This property imparts excellent moisture-binding ability within the skin as well.

AcquaCell is another key ingredient in Gold Bond Crepe Corrector. It’s a natural complex combining watermelon rind extract, lentil extract, and apple extract.

Watermelon rind is one of nature’s few materials to contain citrulline. Citrulline is essential to the functioning of filaggrin which forms a critical part of the skin’s own water based moisturizing complex. The lentil extract contains vitamin B5 and trisaccharides. The apple starch is a source of polysaccharides, sodium lactate and sodium PCA. All of these ingredients work together to increase skin hydration.

The only problem that we noticed with the Gold Bond Crepe Corrector formula is the inclusion of one paraben (methylparaben).

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Crepe Corrector works to address crepey skin with Stress Response Proteins and a variety of hydrating ingredients. 

Gold Bond Men’s Lotion

Gold Bond Men’s Lotion is described as a fast-absorbing, non-greasy lotion specially formulated to hydrate and soften men’s skin. However, we noticed that the formula isn’t much different than the other Gold Bond lotions.

It has similar key ingredients as other lotions by this brand, including skin-hydrating humectants like hydroxyethyl urea and aloe vera, skin-protecting petrolatum, and antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamin E. 

It also has the same problems as other Gold Bond lotions, including parabens as preservatives and a synthetic fragrance blend. If it weren’t for these issues, we would definitely recommend the Gold Bond Men’s Lotion.  

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Men’s Lotion is said to be specifically formulated for men’s skin, but the formula is pretty much the same as other lotions by this brand. 

Gold Bond Eczema Lotion

The Gold Bond Eczema Lotion is said to offer relief from five symptoms of eczema: itch, dryness, scaling/peeling, roughness, and redness/irritation.. The active ingredient is colloidal oatmeal 2%. 

Colloidal oatmeal has been used for centuries to soothe and heal the skin, as well as reduce inflammation and redness.

According to the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, avenanthramides are the principle polyphenolic antioxidants in oats that provide anti-inflammatory, anti-redness, anti-itch, and antihistamine effects when applied to the skin. Therefore, colloidal oatmeal is an excellent ingredient to help soothe redness and itchiness due to eczema. 

The rest of the formula is similar to other Gold Bond lotions, primarily consisting of humectants like glycerin and aloe vera, dimethicone (a silicone), and emollients like petrolatum and shea butter. 

Of note, this Gold Bond lotion contains methylparaben as a preservative. 

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Eczema Lotion includes colloidal oatmeal to soothe dry, itchy skin, as well as supporting ingredients like emollients, silicones, and humectants. 

Gold Bond Ultimate Radiance Renewal Lotion

Designed for those with visibly dry skin, the Ultimate Radiance Renewal Lotion helps to moisturize and gently exfoliate skin with the poly hydroxy acid (PHA) gluconolactone. 

Gluconolactone provides anti-aging, antioxidant, and gentle exfoliating benefits. In addition, gluconolactone strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, thereby leaving it more resilient.

The formula also includes nourishing emollients like coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. These ingredients will help to lock in moisture while also delivering important nutrients to the skin. 

Plus, we like that the brand included several different ceramides in this formula. Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules that are naturally found in the stratum corneum (the upper layer of skin that is referred to as the skin barrier).

According to a publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, ceramides are important for skin barrier function, and exogenously applying ceramides may help to improve skin barrier function. 

Of note, this Gold Bond lotion contains parabens and a synthetic fragrance blend. 

Bottom Line: Gold Bond Ultimate Radiance Renewal Lotion contains several beneficial ingredients, including gluconolactone, emollients, and ceramides, which all work to strengthen and soften skin. 

What Are The Key Ingredients in Gold Bond Lotions?

While all of the Gold Bond lotion formulas are unique, we noticed that a few of the same key ingredients are used throughout the collection, which include: 

• Occlusives (i.e. petrolatum)
• Emollients (i.e. shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, etc.)
• Silicones (i.e. dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, etc.)
• Humectants (i.e. glycerin, bisabolol, aloe vera, panthenol, etc.)
• Natural Moisturizing Factors (i.e. hydroxyethyl urea)

The brand also uses soothing botanical extracts in some of their products, such as oat, chamomile, and ginger. 

One problem with nearly all Gold Bond lotions is the inclusion of synthetic fragrance blends in the formulas. You see, the brand can use a proprietary blend of chemicals to create the fragrance. On average, this consists of 30 to 50 chemicals (but it can have as much as 200 components). 

Want to know the worst part? The brand does not have to disclose which chemicals they use on the label. They are allowed to list this blend as “Fragrance (Parfum)” on the ingredient list.

Furthermore, a 2018 study by Women’s Voices for the Earth discovered that in over 3,000 chemicals reportedly used for fragrances, 1,242 were chemicals of concern – and that included at least 7 possible carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents.

Fragrance ingredients also have the potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity. 

Another problem is that all of the Gold Bond lotions that we reviewed contain parabens as preservatives. The use of parabens in skin care products is controversial because there is conflicting research on the potential health consequences of long term exposure to parabens.

According to the EWG, parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the normal function of hormone systems affecting male and female reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes.

How Much Do Gold Bond Lotions Cost?

Gold Bond lotions are priced in line with other drugstore moisturizers, such as Eucerin and CeraVe For example, the Gold Bond Diabetic Lotion costs $12.29 USD for 18 fl oz on Amazon.com.

Where to Buy Gold Bond Lotions?

Gold Bond Lotions and other Gold Bond skin care products are not sold on the brand’s website. You must buy Gold Bond skin care products on third party online retailers, such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more. Gold Bond skin care products are also sold in physical retail locations throughout the United States, such as Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, etc. 

What is The Gold Bond Lotion Return Policy?

Gold Bond does not have a return policy on their website since they do not sell products on their website and, therefore, don’t accept returns. 

Is Gold Bond Lotion Cruelty Free?

Yes, Gold Bond is cruelty free. 

Our Verdict

Overall, we think that some Gold Bond lotions are formulated well with an array of beneficial ingredients, but we’re concerned with the presence of parabens and synthetic fragrance in nearly every Gold Bond lotion. 

Pros

• Affordable
• Gold Bond is cruelty free
• Many positive Gold Bond Lotion reviews

Cons

• All Gold Bond lotions mentioned in this review contain parabens as preservatives
• Many of the Gold Bond lotions contain a synthetic fragrance blend

What Are Some Alternatives to Gold Bond Lotions?

If you’re looking for hydrating skincare products for dry skin, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend this repair moisturizer.

References:
Practical Dermatology “Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration” Joseph Fowler, MD, FAAD July 2012
​​Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD, 01 Mar 2017, 16(3):243-247
Women’s Voices for the Earth “Unpacking The Fragrance Industry” 2018
J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(10):1180-1183.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 2014, pages 177-184