The difference between body cream and body lotion
"Love and magic are like oil and water, they just don't mix".
Jasper Fforde
These words might be true until it comes to skincare.
To understand the differences between body cream and body lotion the most important part is to have a look at the mixture of water and oil. Sure each type of moisturizing skincare is a combination of its own special composition of healthy and nourishing ingredients and therefore each moisturizer provides its very own and special benefits for you.
To appreciate the difference between lotion and cream we first need to talk about their similarities.
Both, body cream and body lotion, provide great features to protect your skin (against loss of moisture). While keeping your skin moisturized and supple they prevent cracked or dry skin in general.
Sure, this protection is created by ingredients. And here we are referring again to water and oil as the most important parts because your skin is at the same time protected against the loss of moisture as well as supports your skin to replenish oil (in the skin).
water-oil ratio
However, the main difference between body lotion and body cream is the water to oil ratio.
In case you have very dry skin, we would advise you to choose a body cream (or even better a body butter) instead of a body lotion because the lotion would not provide penetrative moisture. BUT keep in mind this refers to body skincare.
skincare and face care
When it comes to face care heavy oil-based creams should only be applied to excessively dry skin only. Body parts - like hands, legs, or feet - which tend to become dry/loose moisture quite fast or tend to be dry in general should be pampered with thick body creams.
body lotion
Body lotions are known for their lower viscosity (comparing to body creams). This means a lotion is absorbed faster by your skin. Due to their higher water content body lotions are most of the time quite liquid and more often provided in pretty bottles.
If you do prefer a fresh feeling on your skin try to avoid sticky body creams. Moisturizing body lotions are made for all skin types but are your best choice only if you do not have excessively dry skin.
body cream
Due to their higher viscosity body creams prevent moisture loss from your skin due to their more sticky mixture of water and oil. This combination penetrates your skin ideally but also tends to feel a bit greasier. Therefore body creams are mainly provided in nice jar containers or tubs.
Dermatological creams or pharmaceutical creams are usually an even combination of water and oil (50% water plus 50 % oil).
However, the viscosity of body lotions and cosmetic creams also depends on other ingredients like f.e. paraffin as an emollient.
skin types
Not only your genetic skin type also your nutrition, age, and daily habits influence your skin's needs. Last but not least also weather conditions and seasons have an impact on one's beauty routines.
application
Therefore you should choose body creams for wintertime or at least seasons with lower humidity (heated air and cold temperatures reduce moisture) while rich and thick creams at the same time also protect your skin due to its oily agent.
During summertime lighter body lotions are definitely a wise choice, to keep your skin moisturized, nourished, and fresh without causing an oil film.
benefits
In both cases your skin remains bright and healthy - and another benefit, you will also feel it.
Do you like to discover our vast variety of body creams and body lotions?
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