There is nothing I hate more than when someone tells me my skin looks too dry or too shiny. It’s a lopsided insult! In wanting my skin to strike the right balance, I have worked hard to decode the moisturizing dilemma. I have also figured out what works best for my skin. Healthy skin helps you to look better and feel good about yourself! But, if you are like me and have had to navigate the many products on the market to find what works right it can be both frustrating, expensive and time-consuming.
As an eczema sufferer, my skin journey has been challenging. I did not always understand the difference between lotions, creams and body butter and the many benefits of having healthy skin. But, as I started to take better care of my skin and understand the difference in moisturizing products, I realized how vital it was for me to know what product to use and what works best. And I can help you do the same!
Hydrated skin is healthy skin and moisturizing is the best way to hydrate your skin from the outside (water is essential to hydrate from the inside).
When you moisturize your skin, you help to turn over dead skin cells. As a result, your skin looks more youthful, and you decrease your chance of forming wrinkles as you age.
Knowing what type of moisturizer to use is critical. Moisturizers are the barrier of protection you provide your skin from all of the elements you come into contact with on a daily basis. Too much sun, wind or dryness has an adverse effect on your skin, leaving it parched and dehydrated. Investing in many moisturizers can leave you spending too much money without the results you want to achieve. If you want to determine which moisturizer works best for you, it’s important to know the difference between lotion, cream and body butter based on your skincare needs.
Lotions, creams and body butters have ingredients which usually include water and some essential oils. When making a choice about your skincare needs, first figure out if you have dry, oily or combination skin and which part of your body needs the most moisturizing. Second, take into consideration where you live. If you reside in a dry or colder climate versus a warmer one, you will need to use moisturizers which have a thicker consistency to keep you skin well moisturized.
Here’s the moisturizer breakdown:
Lotions
Lotions have a thinner consistency. They tend to be less greasy and quickly absorb into your skin. If you need a lightweight moisturizer all over, a lotion is an excellent choice. There is little residue left over, so you don’t have to worry about lotions sticking to your clothes. Lotions are the most effective in humid climates and warmer weather, as it is more lightweight.
Creams
Creams are opposite of lotion and are thicker in consistency. They also contain moisturizing oils. If you have dry skin like me where your skin dries out quickly after applying lotion, creams are a better alternative for you. Some areas of your skin in which this dryness might be apparent include your arms and legs because there are fewer oil glands in these regions versus your chest and back areas, where oil production is higher. Creams are a better option for colder weather.
Body Butters
Body butter has been especially useful for my eczema. Body butter has the highest amount of oils versus creams and lotions. Not only are they thick and creamy, but they also contain many fatty oils which help your skin to stay lubricated and moisturized for longer periods of time. Body butter typically contains shea, coconut and cocoa butter. Additionally, they may have olive, argan or almond oils in them helping your skin retain moisture as well. Body butter works best in drier areas of your skin, including the heels of your feet, your elbows and knees. If you are concerned about the residue which body butter may leave, you can use them at night or just give them additional time to settle into your skin.
Whatever option you decide, the best way to seal in moisture is by applying your moisturizer right after you shower or bathe. Doing so seals in the moisture to your skin, keeping your skin more hydrated.
Now that you know how lotions, creams and body butters work, grab the moisturizer that works best for your skin and apply it already!
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