Moisturizing Basics: How are body lotions and creams different?
Moisturizing -- it is a crucial step in anyone's body care regimen. With body lotions, body creams, body oils, and even body balms, knowing which formula to choose may seem like a daunting task. You know you want to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated and soft, but perhaps you're not sure of the differences among the different formulas.
Today, we are beginning a series to explain each of our body moisturizers a bit more in depth. Let's start with the differences between a body lotion and a body cream, why don't we?
Body Lotion vs. Body Cream
From a formulation standpoint, lotions and creams both contain oil and water. The key difference is the water/oil ratio. Thinking in terms of water to oil ratio, there is a a higher percentage of water in a lotion. Another way to look at it: think of a lotion as droplets of oil added to water and a cream as droplets of water added to oil. One is not better than the other, but they both offer their own unique benefits.
Body Lotion
- Body Lotion absorbs more easily, giving the feeling that it is sinking right into the skin without feeling tacky or sticky. You can get dressed right after putting your lotion without it feeling "wet" against your clothing.
- You will find that lotions are typically sold in bottles.
- Body Lotion is more lightweight, making it the ideal product for nearly every skin type except the most dry. Lotion is great for the warmer months, too, when it feels hot and humid and you just want a bit of moisture.
- Even though it is lightweight, lotion still provides the hydration your skin needs.
- Consider Body Lotion your all-purpose moisturizer to use on its own or even to layer with other products.
Body Cream
- Body Cream is richer and thicker than lotion, giving it a decadent, luxurious feel. It does not absorb quite as quickly as lotion.
- You will find that because of its consistency, that cream is generally sold in jars.
- Body Cream is heavier and provides a greater barrier, making it the ideal choice for dry or ultra sensitive skin and for use before bed when your skin needs some extra pampering.
- Body Cream is wonderful for the winter months, when the cold temperatures and wind, as well as indoor heat, make the skin more dry - or after sun exposure.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to moisturizing. Feel free to experiment with different types of body moisturizer to see how they feel on your skin. Next week, we will be talking about body oil and how that benefits the skin. As always, if you have any skin care questions, feel free to reach out.
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