Body Cream vs. Body Lotion—Find Out Which Your Skin Needs

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What’s the Difference?

Best for Skin Conditions

Terms such as “moisturizer,” “emollient,” “lotion,” and “cream” are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Types of moisturizers include lotions and creams, as well as oils, gels, andointments. These products are all used to moisturize, smooth, and help repair skin, but each has different characteristics and purposes.

The biggest difference between lotions and creams is their thickness, which is based on their levels of water and oil contents. Creams have a higher oil content and are thicker than lotions, which makes them more hydrating.

The main difference between creams and lotions is their viscosity (thickness).

Creams are thicker than lotions, with about a 50/50 emulsion of oil and water. They maintain their shape better than lotion.

Lotions are likely to contain oil as well, but in a lower ratio than creams.

Characteristics of creams vs. lotions include that they:

Characteristics of lotions include that they:

Creams and lotions can both be used, as well as ointments, as carriers fortopical medications, such ashydrocortisone. Which is used depends on different factors. Creams may be better for moist and weepy skin, lotions may be better for treating large or hairy areas, and ointments may be better for dry or flaky areas.

Barrier Creams

Barrier creams are different from moisturizing creams. They are applied to the skin surface to help protect and maintain theskin’s physical barrier. Barrier products can also come as pastes, ointments, and sprays.

Barrier creams stay on the skin for several hours, even through gentle washing. They are often used to manage conditions such as hand dermatitis,diaper rash, and very dry skin.

Best for Hands

Hands are exposed to the elements more than any other part of the body, so keeping them moisturized is important.

Look for a cream that comes in a tube rather than a pump bottle, contains mineral oil or petrolatum (petroleum jelly), and says “fragrance-free” and “dye-free” on the label.

If you are prone to dry hands, carry hand cream with you and apply it (including to fingertips and nails) after each time you wash your hands.

Some ofVerywell Health’s hand moisturizer recommendationsare:

Best for the Face

Using lotion or cream on your face depends on factors like your skin type. Lotions may be a good choice for the face for:

Cream-based moisturizers may work best for:

How you use skin care products on your face makes a difference. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the following order:

Sometimes, less is more. Applying too many products—particularly more than one product to reduce the signs of aging (“antiaging” products)—may irritate the skin and make signs of aging more noticeable.

Ideal for Dry Skin

Some people are prone to dry skin, and other people may experience periods of dry skin with weather conditions (such as wind, low humidity, or cold temperatures), harsh soaps, or prolonged exposure to water.

Signs of excessiveskin drynessinclude:

Creams or thicker moisturizers like ointments are more effective than lotions at adding moisture to dry skin and holding it in.

For dry skin, apply cream at least twice daily, and more if necessary.

Check labels and look for a cream or ointment that contains at least one of the following:

Ideal for Oily Skin

Too much moisturizer can clog pores and aggravate oily skin. Moisturizer may not be needed for oily skin, but if moisturizer is used, lighter types of moisturizers like lotions or gels may be the best option.

Ideal for Combination Skin

Combination skinmeans that some areas of your skin are dry, and others are oily. Often this occurs in what is known as the T-zone (which makes up the forehead, nose, and chin) are more oily than the rest of the face.

For combination skin, a good option is to use lotion or cream (depending on level of dryness) on the face, skipping the more oily T-zone.

If you prefer to use moisturizer all over, sorbolene cream may be a good choice. It is a nongreasy, moderate-strength, general-purpose moisturizer.

Best for Certain Skin Conditions

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about how to use this treatment, and if you need to wait between applying other skin care products, or do so in a particular order.

Eczema

Psoriasis

Psoriasis may also be treated with topical medications and sometimes other treatments such aslight therapyor systemic medications.

Using a moisturizing cream or ointment after handwashing, showering, and bathing can help lock in moisturizer, help reduce redness and itching, and help skin heal.

Talk to your healthcare provider for more specific treatment as there is no one-size-fits-alltreatment for psoriasis.

Acne

Medications used to treat acnecan dry and irritate the skin. Using a moisturizer may help your skin better tolerate these medications. Using moisturizer when your skin feels dry can also help prevent your skin from producing extra oil to combat the dryness, which could lead to further breakouts.

Look for a moisturizer labeled as one or more of the following:

Never Use Creams, Lotions, or Butters on Broken SkinWhen applying lotions or creams, including medicated ones, avoid applying it directly onto/into a wound or broken skin. If you have broken skin in the area that needs to be treated, talk to your healthcare provider about what products are safe to use.

Never Use Creams, Lotions, or Butters on Broken Skin

When applying lotions or creams, including medicated ones, avoid applying it directly onto/into a wound or broken skin. If you have broken skin in the area that needs to be treated, talk to your healthcare provider about what products are safe to use.

Summary

The main difference between lotions and creams is that creams are thicker than lotions due to their higher oil content.

Creams are more moisturizing than lotions, making them better fordry skin. Lotions can be helpful for skin that is less dry, larger areas to cover, and places that are hairy, like the scalp.

If using lotions, creams, or other moisturizers along with topical medications, talk to your healthcare provider for instructions such as order of use and if there needs to be a time gap between applying them.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet.Emollients and moisturisers.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin.DermNet.Topical formulations.National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.National Health Service.Emollients.National Health Service.How and when to use hydrocortisone for skin.DermNet.Barrier cream.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.DermNet.Emollients.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moisturizer: why you may need it if you have acne.Enloe Health.Wound self-care.

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DermNet.Emollients and moisturisers.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin.DermNet.Topical formulations.National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.National Health Service.Emollients.National Health Service.How and when to use hydrocortisone for skin.DermNet.Barrier cream.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.DermNet.Emollients.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moisturizer: why you may need it if you have acne.Enloe Health.Wound self-care.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

DermNet.Emollients and moisturisers.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin.DermNet.Topical formulations.National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.National Health Service.Emollients.National Health Service.How and when to use hydrocortisone for skin.DermNet.Barrier cream.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.DermNet.Emollients.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moisturizer: why you may need it if you have acne.Enloe Health.Wound self-care.

DermNet.Emollients and moisturisers.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin.

DermNet.Topical formulations.

National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.

National Health Service.Emollients.

National Health Service.How and when to use hydrocortisone for skin.

DermNet.Barrier cream.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin relief from COVID-19 handwashing.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.

DermNet.Emollients.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: overview.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.

National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: diagnosis and treatment.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moisturizer: why you may need it if you have acne.

Enloe Health.Wound self-care.

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