The Difference Between Body Lotion and Body Cream

Unlike body lotion, which has a lighter texture, body creams are on the thicker side and typically contain occlusives like shea butter to provide a protective barrier against dryness. This formula from Drunk Elephant contains shea butter and nourishing oils to quench parched skin.

It also features a dose of niacinamide to help prevent dark spots and keep skin’s barrier healthy.

Hydration

Hydration is a key factor in skin health and appearance. A well-hydrated skin barrier locks in moisture and protects against environmental pollution, harmful pathogens, mechanical stress, and inflammation. It also improves the ability of skin to withstand friction and stretching, which is why it’s important to moisturize your body regularly with the right product for your needs.

Lotions and creams are both essential to a hydrating routine, but it’s important to choose the right one for your skin type and climate. Creams have a thicker consistency and contain more oil-based emollients and humectants that help the skin retain moisture. This makes them ideal for severely dry skin, especially in colder months.

On the other hand, lotions have a lighter consistency that is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. They are ideal for normal to slightly dry skin and can be used all year round. Try a nourishing in-shower body moisturizer like NIVEA Express Hydration for quick and easy application, perfect for those with busy lifestyles.

At Archipelago we have a range of body moisturizers that are formulated with the highest quality ingredients to meet your specific needs. Whether you need a deeply hydrating body cream that nourishes with nourishing shea butter, or a non-greasy moisturizer with a fresh citrus scent that hydrates and refreshes, there’s something for everyone.

Scent

Body lotions are often scented to give you a little fragrance boost throughout the day. They can also be a great way to help with circulation as they’re massaged into the skin, helping with the blood flow. A great option is the luscious Cocoa Butter scented NIVEA Natural Care Cocoa Butter Body Lotion, or a fresher scent like L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Premier Figuier Body Cream with its sun-warmed figs and sea spray.

However, if you have sensitive skin, it’s important to avoid fragranced body creams. According to Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, consultant dermatologist at the Dr Trasi Clinic and La Piel Skin Clinic, people with sensitive skin and atopic dermatitis (eczema) can have an allergic reaction to synthetic chemicals in body products, leading to redness, itchiness and rashes.

Fragrance oils should be diluted at about 1% to 3% in a Body Lotion/cream lotion base. Natural fragrance oils can be easier to work with than essential oils, which are volatile and often have much higher maximum usage rates (sometimes utterly bonkers high!) for on-body use.

If you’re unsure how to start adding fragrances to your own body lotions, try using a perfume calculator or checking the recommended usage rate provided by your supplier. You can also try moisturizing twice – first with the base, then with a separate layer of fragrance oil to lock in the scent.

Texture

The texture of body lotions/creams can be light, rich and creamy, or lightweight and mousse-like. Heavy creams and oils help in deeply hydrating dry skin, whereas lighter textures are more suitable for oily skin. Body creams may also have occlusive ingredients to protect the skin from moisture loss, which is a plus for dry and mature skin.

Body lotions should have a light consistency so that they can be easily tea tree oil absorbed into the skin without leaving behind any sticky or greasy residue. This is especially important for people with oily or acne-prone skin, who need a light, non-greasy formula to keep their skin hydrated and balanced.

On the other hand, people with dehydrated or alipic skin benefit from products with a thicker texture that contains more oils and butters to hydrate deeper layers of the skin. People with eczema want products that can soothe irritation and provide relief from itching.

Finally, body lotions can be scented with fragrant oils and extracts to create a soothing, luxurious experience. They can be scented with relaxing scents like Shea butter and Cocoa butter or more refreshing fragrances such as Moringa and White Tea. It is important to note that the smell of a lotion can affect how your skin responds to it, so choose a scent that suits you. For the best results, apply a generous amount of body lotion to slightly damp and warm skin for optimal absorption.

Application

Keeping healthy and youthful skin requires a regular body care routine with proper hydration as the key ingredient. Incorporating a body lotion into your daily regimen can help nourish your skin all year round, delaying visible signs of aging and strengthening your skin barrier to safeguard against external irritants.

Lotions are low-viscosity topical preparations that can be applied to the external skin with bare hands, a brush, clean cloth or cotton wool with the intent of smoothing, moisturizing and softening it. Aside from this basic function, they can also be endowed with skin-boosting ingredients to target specific concerns.

Occlusive substances (like petroleum jelly, butters and waxes) can be used to create a protective layer that helps minimize what’s known as trans-epidermal water loss – effectively locking in moisture. This is especially important for areas that tend to dry out quickly, like the elbows, knees and hands.

As for application, it’s recommended to apply your lotion after showering and gently massage it into your skin so that it can fully absorb. It’s also best to exfoliate beforehand so that any dead skin cells are removed and your skin can be better prepped for the product. Lastly, it’s a good idea to moisturize your skin just before bedtime so that it can be nourished while you sleep. The skin and the body will regenerate more at night, so they will reap the most benefits from a nourishing treatment.