When trying to meet your skincare goals, it is important to be intimately familiar with the products you use and what they’re designed to do. While mixing up a moisturizer and a lotion will likely not do you any harm, it may be preventing you from achieving the skin you want to see. This article will review the difference between lotions and moisturizers to help clear the air.
Texture
You may have noticed that lotions tend to feel a little thinner and are easier to apply over larger areas. This is because lotions are designed to be light on the skin and applied daily. Moisturizers, however, often come in different textures and can come in a lotion form. Moisturizers can come in cream, gel, and oil forms as well—the thicker the moisturizer, the more localized the usage. You’ll notice that creams tend to leave behind a greasier feeling, designed to provide intense hydration.
Usage
Because of its texture, lotion is typically designed to go all over the body and provide daily hydration. And because of this, you can use lotion on almost any skin type. In truth, most lotions are moisturizers, but not all moisturizers are lotions. Not every moisturizer can be used on every skin type, as thin moisturizing lotions may not give certain skin types the hydration they need. For example, thick occlusive moisturizers, such as the ones that include petrolatum, are intended for skin with issues like eczema.
Formulation
Lotion is made up primarily of water and typically contains the highest amount of added ingredients in order to preserve the product and be more beneficial to the skin. To mask the scent of those ingredients, you’ll often see fragrances added. This is why you’ll often see scented lotions and not scented moisturizers. Additionally, moisturizers are formulated to protect the epidermis as well as hydrate. Therefore, many moisturizers have some form of wax, petrolatum, and oil.
Knowing the differences between moisturizers and lotions can help you perfect your skincare routine so you can achieve the skin of your dreams. And if you’re looking for a soothing, high-quality lotion you can put all over your body, Essential Wholesale & Labs sells organic lotions that you can feel good about.