Body & Skin Lotions: Types, Benefits and Usage

Whether you are preparing for a party or heading to the beach, you'll want to apply skin lotions to moisturise your skin, prevent dryness, and soothe dry patches [1.1].

Body lotions are skin moisturisers, and they're designed to penetrate deep into your skin, making it softer and smoother.

If you're wondering where to start your skincare routine, you should consider investing in some good body lotion. Your skin is your largest organ and needs proper care and protection if you want to look and feel your best.

A skincare regimen may seem like a complicated chore, but it doesn't have to be. When used correctly, body and skin lotions can improve skin tone, texture and elasticity and provide long-lasting moisture to reduce chaffing and irritation.

Body and skin lotions have long helped smooth, moisturise, and repair dry skin [1.2]. They can also be used for different purposes. Discover their benefits and how to use them.

Body And Skin Lotions: What They Are and What They Are Used for

Lotions are liquid or semisolid formulas that are to be applied directly on the skin.

The skin is one of the most vital parts of the body and it’s the largest organ. It protects the rest of the body from external injuries, keeps water in and out and helps the body breathe. It can be affected by various factors like the weather, food, pollution, and stress.

The ingredients used in body lotions make the skin soft, smooth, and radiant.

When skin problems arise, lotions might be an effective way to help fix them.

As our skin ages, even normal skin becomes drier and more fragile. Our body needs moisture to stay healthy and strong [1.3].

So how do we get healthy, glowing skin that is free from wrinkles, blemishes, and other unsightly marks? We need to moisturise it and keep it hydrated all day long.

When you sweat a lot, your skin gets dehydrated. The general belief is that we don’t need to moisturise our skin unless we are sunbathing, but that’s a misconception. Water helps keep the layers of skin smooth and supple not only when under the sun [3.1].

Some products nourish your skin on every level, while others only give you temporary results.

Body And Skin Lotions: Typologies

1. Moisturisers

Moisturising products are typically formulated with moisturising active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera gel, or glycerine.

There are a few key things to consider when it comes to choosing a moisturiser for your body. The first is the amount of product applied and how much it gets absorbed by the skin. You will want to use a moisturiser that's not too thick or greasy and absorbs quickly.

Are you prone to allergies? Then, choosing a hypoallergenic formula is a must. Moisturising your skin is the first step in maintaining a smooth, supple complexion [4.2]. The right moisturiser will provide a continuous source of hydration, leaving your skin soft and pliable without feeling sticky. Using a moisturiser immediately after a bath helps prevent dryness and lock in hydration.

2. Sunscreen Lotions

Apply sunscreen to your face and body. Wearing sunscreen will reduce the number of harmful UV rays that penetrate your skin. Sunscreens act as a barrier to protect your skin from the harmful effects of unfiltered sunlight [5.1].

While SPF is often referred to as an "effective" or "broad spectrum" sunscreen, that's only half the story. The secret to its effectiveness is to wear it daily. Make sure you wear a sunscreen lotion or cream before you step outside, no matter the season or the time of day.

Sunscreen lotions keep your skin from being overexposed by blocking out the sun's rays. They can come in a variety of forms, including lotions, gels, sticks, mousses, and even serums. Lotions are the most popular form of sunscreen because they're easy to use and apply. They absorb quickly into the skin and block out harmful UV rays [5.2].

Sunscreens work by absorbing or reflecting sunlight. Sunbathing means ageing, so if you wish to have that perfect, soft baby skin, sunscreen is your ally, as well as anti-ageing creams or lotions.

3. Shaving lotions

These are specifically designed to moisturise, protect, soften, and nourish the skin after shaving. Many different types of shave products are available on the market for all types of skin, for both men and women. After shaving, your face may often “pull” and is particularly sensitive, so using a product specially designed to alleviate the aftershave effects of shaving can help make you feel more comfortable.

It is essential to select the right type of shaving cream for the type of skin that you have. You will generally want a shaving cream that is not too thick and has a good amount of lubrication. Shaving lotions come in a wide variety of scents and styles. Men use shave cream after shaving, whereas women use shave gels to moisturise their skin.

4. Moisturizing lotions

These products are suitable for soothing irritated, allergy-prone skin and can be an excellent alternative for anyone who suffers from eczema or psoriasis. Lotions with witch hazel, aloe, and calendula are also available and can help heal wounds and relieve itching. Soothing lotions can also help treat conditions that cause dry, irritated skin, such as dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and pruritus.

You might want to consider soothing lotions if you have extremely sensitive skin. They contain ingredients such as aloe, olive oil, vitamin E, or aloe vera that can help reduce redness, irritation, and even chafing [7.1].

Body And Skin Lotions: Properties and Benefits

1. Retain Moisture and Help Your Skin Glow

If you use a lotion regularly, you'll notice an improvement in your skin's moisture levels. Only when your skin is adequately hydrated, will it have the incredible healthy glow that you’re looking for.

2. Fight Age and Wrinkles

Daily use of a moisturising body lotion will provide long-term advantages. The more often you use a body lotion, the easier it will be to maintain a long-lasting youthful appearance.

3. Soften Skin and Soothe Rough Patches

Using a high-quality body lotion in the summer can help you get smoother skin and alleviate any rough areas. This means that you'll be able to maintain smooth, moisturised skin throughout the year, which will help you feel and look perfect.

4. Give a Light Scent

Body lotions usually give a subtle and pleasant fragrance without recurring to strong perfumes.

Body and Skin Lotions: How to Use Them and Other Tips

We recommend using a body lotion for both day- and night-time wear. You can use body and skin lotions as part of your everyday routine, as well as hand creams and body creams, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. It's also important to remember that while body lotions are great for moisturising, they aren't appropriate for everyone [8.1]. For example, if you're allergic to certain active ingredients or are prone to inflammation, you should first test them [9.1].

Your hands and feet tend to dry more, so pay special attention when selecting a lotion. Use a body lotion once or twice per day. Apply it to your whole body before bedtime and reap the benefits while sleeping. You may also consider using it after exercise, especially if you sweat a lot.

Other Tips

• Use lotion immediately after showering or bathing while your skin is still damp. This will help to lock in moisture.
• Be sure to apply lotion to all areas of your body, including your neck, hands, and feet.
• You can use lotion more than once a day but make sure you choose one that is right for your skin type.
• If you have sensitive skin, test the lotion on a small area of your skin before using it. Choose hypoallergenic formulas.
• Avoid the area around your eyes when applying lotion to your face.
• Store lotion in a cool, dry place. Heat and sunlight can cause the ingredients in lotion to break down.
• Many lotions that are not formulated specifically for sensitive skin may contain ingredients that are known irritants, so you need to read the labels and do some research before buying.
• Ensure that your product doesn't contain harsh ingredients.
• Avoid using products that contain alcohol and artificial fragrances.

Conclusion

Lotions are an important part of any skincare routine since they have the power to turn a rough and dry complexion into smooth and healthy skin. So, if you're ever feeling lost in the world of skincare, just remember to keep it simple and use a body lotion. Your skin will thank you for it!

References:

1. https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/body-lotion - 1 , 2 , 3
2. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/10-must-have-lotions-under-10/ - 1
3. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/drink-water-skin - 1
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545171/ - 1 , 2
5. https://cen.acs.org/business/consumer-products/What-in-sunscreen-and-how-does-it-protect-your-skin-from-the-sun-rays/99/i27 - 1 , 2
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/antiseptic - 1 , 2 , 3
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24524083/ - 1
8. https://elemental.medium.com/moisturizers-dont-work-for-everyone-45188b63dbf9 - 1
9. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/prevent-skin-problems/test-skin-care-products - 1

Another source used in this article's writing: Understanding moisturizers and their clinical benefits - BMCTODAY.NET. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2022, from http://bmctoday.net/practicaldermatologypeds/pdfs/PEDS1010_PedSkincare.pdf