Curel Lotion I vs II vs III: Toner Differences, Ingredients, pH

Curél Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Facial Lotion (キュレル 潤浸保湿 化粧水) is Kao’s toner for dry, sensitive skin, and it comes in three types: I (Light), II and III (Enrich), often searched as Curel Moisture Lotion 1, 2 and 3. It is a facial toner, not one of the Curél body lotions sold in the US, such as Daily Healing or Ultra Healing. The difference between Curel lotion I, II and III is how moist each feels: Kao describes I as fresh and lightly moist, II as moist and III as very moist. All three contain the same 15 ingredients, including Kao’s ceramide functioning capsules, eucalyptus extract and allantoin as the active ingredient, and each comes in a 150 mL pump bottle and a 130 mL refill.

What you’ll learn in this article:

• The difference between Curel Moisture Lotion I, II and III, and how to choose one
• Curel lotion’s specs, pH and what it is free from
• Its key ingredients and full ingredient list
• How to use Curel lotion as your toner, and how the refills work
• Where to buy Curel lotion from Japan

Curel Lotion: Quick Specs

Japanese name	キュレル 潤浸保湿 化粧水 (Ⅰ・Ⅱ・Ⅲ)
Name on the box	Curél Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Facial Lotion I Light / II / III Enrich
Type	Medicated toner (quasi-drug in Japan)
Size	150 mL pump bottle; 130 mL refill
Price in Japan	Not shown on Kao’s product pages; store prices vary
Made for	Dry, sensitive skin (Kao)
Active ingredient	Allantoin (anti-inflammatory, to prevent rough skin)
Scent	Fragrance-free
When to use	Morning and night, after washing your face (Kao)
pH	Weakly acidic

Specs from Kao’s official Japanese product pages and Curél lotion page (as of October 2026).

• Fragrance-free
• Colorant-free
• Alcohol-free (no ethyl alcohol)
• Allergy-tested

Curel Lotion I vs II vs III (1, 2, 3): What’s the Difference?

Curel lotion I, II and III differ only in how moist they feel: I feels the lightest and III the richest, and Kao Singapore says all three provide the same moisturizing effect. They have the same 15 ingredients in a slightly different order, the same active ingredient, the same claims and the same 150 mL pump bottle, so choose by the finish you want.

From Kao’s official Japanese product pages (as of October 2026). “Fresh, lightly moist” translates Kao’s ややしっとり and みずみずしく潤う使い心地.

Which Curel Lotion Should You Choose?

Pick by feel: Kao Singapore says all three Curel lotions give the same moisturizing effect, with Lotion I for those who prefer a light, refreshing feel and Lotion III for those who prefer a rich one. Lotion II is the middle option. Kao Singapore’s product page also describes Lotion III as suitable for very dry skin, while Kao Japan doesn’t publish a skin-type guide. Some retailers assign the three to oily, normal and dry skin, but that isn’t Kao’s guidance.

Kao Singapore’s catalog lists Lotion II and Lotion III Enrich but not Lotion I.

Is Curel Lotion Acidic or Alkaline?

Curel lotion is weakly acidic, according to Kao’s label, which puts it in the same range as healthy skin (about pH 4.5 to 6). Kao doesn’t publish the exact pH value, and the label is the same for all three types.

Key Ingredients in Curel Lotion

Curel lotion’s main ingredients are Kao’s ceramide functioning capsules and eucalyptus extract for moisture, and allantoin as the active ingredient. Kao says the capsules quickly deliver moisture into the stratum corneum on “unprotected skin”, meaning skin right after cleansing, before any skincare, and hold it there.

Curel Lotion Full Ingredient List

All three Curel lotions list the same 15 ingredients on Kao’s Japanese site, with allantoin first as the active ingredient. The preservative is paraben. The table follows Lotion II’s order.

Key ingredient / Worth checking if your skin is sensitive

Ingredient list from Kao’s official Japanese product pages (as of October 2026), in Japanese quasi-drug order: the active ingredient first, then the other ingredients. Lotion I lists butylene glycol before glycerin, and Lotion III lists methyl gluceth before eucalyptus extract. The English names are our translations of Kao’s Japanese labelling names (for example, POEメチルグルコシド and PEG1540). Formulas can change, so always check the package.

How to Use Curel Lotion

Curel lotion is a toner: in Japanese skincare, a lotion (化粧水) is the watery step you apply right after cleansing. Use it morning and night, right after washing your face; Kao recommends 3 to 4 pumps each time.

1. Pump 3 to 4 times into your palm and spread the lotion from your fingertips over your whole palm.
2. Smooth it outwards from the centre of your face with the warmth of your hands, and over your forehead from the centre outwards.
3. Smooth it down your nose, around your mouth and around your eyes.
4. Layer a little more on any areas that feel especially dry.
5. Follow with a milk or a cream, whichever you prefer, such as Curel Intensive Moisture Cream.

Kao’s label says not to use it on cuts, swellings, eczema or other abnormal skin, and to stop and see a dermatologist if you notice redness, swelling, itching or other irritation. Keep it out of your eyes.

For the milk to use after this lotion, see our Curel face milk guide.

For a serum to use after this lotion and before milk or cream, see our Curel serum guide.

For a mist you can use before or instead of this lotion, see our Curel Deep Moisture Spray guide.

For a sheet mask to use after this lotion as special care, see our Curel face mask guide.

For the face wash to use before this lotion, see our Curel face wash guide.

For Curél’s full spot-prevention line, see our Curel Brightening guide.

Curel Lotion Refills

Each Curel lotion type comes in a 130 mL refill pouch (つめかえ用) for refilling the 150 mL pump bottle. Each refill has the same registered product name and ingredient list as its bottle, so make sure the Roman numeral on the pouch (Ⅰ, Ⅱ or Ⅲ) matches your bottle.

Where to Buy Curel Lotion

The easiest way to get Curel lotion as sold in Japan is to order it from Japan through kachicollect. Buy from the kachicollect catalog with no proxy fees, and if you can’t find the type you want there, search Japanese stores or marketplaces for キュレル 潤浸保湿 化粧水 with Ⅰ, Ⅱ or Ⅲ (add つめかえ用 for the refill) and paste the product URL into kachicollect for an instant quote, with no request fee. Duties are shown in your total before you pay, and orders ship worldwide with tracking in about 7 to 14 days.

On marketplaces such as eBay, check the Japanese name and the Roman numeral on the bottle, since the three types look almost the same.

Proxy services that buy from Japanese stores on your behalf are another option, but the service fee they advertise is only the starting point, and various other charges are added on top by the time you check out.

Curel Lotion FAQ

Is Curel lotion a toner?

Yes. In Japanese skincare, a lotion (化粧水) is the watery step you apply after cleansing, which is what many people call a toner. Curel lotion is that step in Kao’s Intensive Moisture Care line.

What is the difference between Curel lotion 1, 2 and 3?

How moist they feel. Kao describes Lotion I (Light) as fresh and lightly moist, Lotion II as moist and Lotion III (Enrich) as very moist. They share the same 15 ingredients and the same claims, and Kao Singapore says all three provide the same moisturizing effect.

Which Curel lotion is best for dry skin?

Lotion III (Enrich) has the richest feel, and Kao Singapore describes it as suitable for very dry skin. Kao Japan doesn’t give a skin-type guide, so choose Lotion I or II if you prefer a lighter feel.

How long does a bottle of Curel lotion last?

Kao Singapore says each Curél product lasts about 1 to 1½ months at the recommended amount, which for the lotion is 3 to 4 pumps each time.

Does Curel lotion contain ceramides?

Its ingredient list doesn’t include an ingredient named ceramide. Instead it contains Kao’s ceramide functioning ingredient, cetyl-PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide, in capsules.

Is Curel lotion paraben-free?

No. Paraben is listed as the preservative in all three types.

Does Curel lotion contain alcohol?

No. Kao says its Curél face care products, including the lotions, contain no alcohol (ethyl alcohol), because some people with sensitive skin feel redness or irritation from alcohol.

Why is my Curel lotion slightly yellow?

Kao says the lotion contains a plant extract that can give it a pale yellow tint, even though it is colorant-free. The shade varies a little because the extract is natural, and Kao says this doesn’t affect the moisturising feel or quality.

Is Curel lotion good for sensitive skin?

Kao made it for dry, sensitive skin, and says it was allergy-tested and patch-tested with people who have dry, sensitive skin. That doesn’t mean no one will react, so test it on a small area first if your skin reacts easily.

What should I use after Curel lotion?

Kao recommends a milk or a cream after the lotion, whichever you prefer. If dryness concerns you, Kao suggests the face cream; see our Curel Intensive Moisture Cream guide.

Conclusion: Which Curel Lotion Is for You?

Choose Curel Lotion I (Light) for a fresh, light toner, Lotion II for everyday moisture, or Lotion III (Enrich) if your skin feels very dry. All three are weakly acidic, fragrance-free, alcohol-free medicated toners with Kao’s ceramide functioning capsules, eucalyptus extract and allantoin, so the choice comes down to feel. Buy the 130 mL refill of the same type once you have the pump bottle.

The simplest way to get it outside Japan is kachicollect: buy from the catalog with no proxy fees, or paste a Japanese store URL for an instant quote. You pay the item price plus shipping, and duties are shown before you pay.