Veggie Blog

Lotions vs. skin care creams

There is no shortage of creams and lotions on the market. Name a skin problem and you will find hundreds of products for it. Because of ongoing research and ever increasing demand, the number of skin care products keeps growing. Lotions and creams are the most popular forms, and there always seems to be a debate about which is better.

Creams and lotions in daily use

There is no definite answer. It seems more a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are clearly less popular than non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since creams are easy to apply, they tend to be preferred for products that are not removed straight after application, so creams are more popular as moisturizers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions are preferred. Some creams also act as toners, but toners are generally sold in liquid form. For cleansing, lotions and creams are about equally popular, although the tilt is towards lotions.

Creams are known to be very effective at keeping skin moist, and this is why moisturizers are the most familiar kind of cream. For the same reason, many people associate creams with dry and sensitive skin. That is true to a certain extent, but creams are not only for dry skin: some are made for oily skin as well, such as sulphur creams and vitamin A creams, which are used for oily or acne-prone skin.

Which one for which job

Creams are also used for products that treat skin disorders, especially those that need the product on a small, localized area. This is again because creams are easier to apply to the affected spot without waste. However, when the skin needs to be washed with a medicated product, a lotion is the better choice. Manufacturers generally know this, which makes it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a cream.

Eye creams and anti-ageing creams are examples where the cream is usually preferred over its lotion counterpart.

Whichever you prefer, cream or lotion, knowing how to use it properly is more important than anything else.