Both moisturize, but their formulas may have distinctions that serve different skin types.
Moisturizing is without a doubt one of the key pillars of a great skin care routine. Providing your skin with the moisture and hydration it needs is essential to maintain its health and vibrancy.
With so many products and formulations on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right options for you and your skin’s needs.
If you’re curious about why this is and whether or not creams and lotions are in fact different, keep reading because we’re breaking it down ahead.
Are Creams and Lotions Different?
At the most basic level, creams and lotions are not all that different. At the end of the day, they’re both moisturizers, they’re both emulsions.
Essentially creams and lotions serve the same purpose in a skin care routine. Each formulation is created with the goal of adding moisture to or locking hydration in the skin. However, there are some nuances between the two — most notably between the textures and ingredients.
Most importantly, the afterfeel on the skin can differ slightly between the two. Creams can feel richer on the skin while lotions feel more lightweight and often absorb more quickly. So when you’re making the choice between one or the other, it may come down to whether you want something thicker and richer with more oil or something that feels light and sinks into your skin fast.
Should I Use Lotion or Cream?
Because creams and lotions serve the same purpose, it’s safe to say that either formula will effectively moisturize your skin. However, you might want to take your skin type into consideration when choosing between the two.
If you have dry skin, you might benefit from a rich cream that can provide tons of moisture and cushion to the skin.
If you have oily skin, a more lightweight option might be appealing to you because it won’t contribute to excess oil. Water-based moisturizers and gel formulas are great for oily skin because of how weightless they are.
Source:
L'Oréal
