Lotion Vs Cream - What is the difference?

Whether you usually shop for organic skincare products or synthetic ones, you may wonder what the difference is between lotion and cream. After all, they look the same; you put them both on your skin, so surely, they do the same thing? Believe it or not, both lotion and cream serve different purposes, and you’re best to work out what they are to ensure you get as many of the benefits as possible. 

What is Lotion? 

Body lotion is something that you may find more benefit in using in summery weather, or when your skin is feeling only a little bit dry – or entirely okay. Lotion tends to be more water than anything else, with just a little bit of oil and other ingredients thrown into the mix. These ingredients differ depending on whether they are natural body care products or synthetic. 

Lotion is lightweight, quickly absorbed into the skin, and isn’t greasy. What’s more, you will find it is generally sold in bottles which makes it easy to squeeze into your hands. The downside to lotion is that it doesn’t last long on your skin. 

What is Cream? 

Whether you buy synthetic or natural body care products, you will find that most creams on the market are in tubs instead of bottles. This is because they are thicker with more oils and less water. They are also denser and richer, with a thick consistency that works better with dehydrated skin, or for use during the colder months such as winter. 

Cream also works better to keep your skin hydrated for more extended periods, which is why it’s usually a recommendation as a night lotion for anti-ageing. 

Which Should I Choose? 

There are many things you need to consider before you purchase either cream or lotion. However, you can go ahead and buy both if you feel like you can use them for different purposes. In summer, you may like to stock up on lotion, which can help to keep your skin beautiful, revitalized, and fresh in the warmer weather. However, you will need to reapply it more than you would with cream. 

When the colder weather sets in, or you find yourself with exceptionally dry skin, then cream may be your natural body care product of choice. It’s thicker, creamier, and creates a protective barrier for your skin that lasts longer than lotion. 

 Source – Women Work – The National Network for Women