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.

Personal skin care is a process

We all understand the importance of personal skin care, but the advice on how to do it differs from person to person. Some people believe that going to the beauty parlour every other day is personal skin care. Others think it is just a matter of applying some cream or lotion every now and then. Some think it is something you do once a month or once a year, and still others spend all their time on it. In fact, personal skin care is not that complicated, and it is not that expensive either, considering how useful it is. It simply means following a routine for taking care of the needs of your skin.

Before you start a routine, you need to find out your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, normal and so on) and choose the skin care products that suit it. You may have to experiment with a few products. Here is a routine that should work for most people with normal skin.

Step 1: Cleansing

The first step of any routine is cleansing. A cleanser contains three basic ingredients: oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). The oil and surfactants lift dirt and oil from your skin, and the water rinses it away. You may have to try a couple of cleansers before you find the one that suits you best. Choose a soap-free cleanser and use lukewarm water, because water that is very hot or very cold can irritate your skin. Take care not to over-cleanse, which can damage your skin as well.

Step 2: Exfoliation

The second step is exfoliation. Your skin constantly removes dead cells and replaces them with new ones, and exfoliation simply helps with that process. A layer of dead skin cells on the surface can make your skin look dull and can keep products from reaching the fresh skin underneath, so removing it makes your other skin care products work better. Exfoliation usually comes after cleansing. As with every part of the routine, it matters how much you do. How often depends on your skin type and on the method you use: start gently, for example once a week, and the stronger the exfoliation, the less often it should be done. Dry or sensitive skin needs less. If your skin gets red or sore, cut back.

Step 3: Moisturizing

The next step is moisturizer, one of the most important parts of personal skin care. Even people with oily skin need it. A moisturizer helps seal moisture into your skin and can also draw some from the air. Too much can clog the pores and cause problems, so use a thin layer. It works best when applied to skin that is still slightly damp.

Step 4: Sunscreen

The last step is sunscreen. Many day-time moisturizers include UV protection, so you get two benefits in one. Use sun protection every day, whether it is sunny or cloudy. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and put on enough of it.

What works best for you depends on your skin type and on how much of each product you use, so adjust the routine as you learn. If you have a skin problem of any kind, talk to a dermatologist before you start using new personal skin care products.