Everyone wants the best value and quality out of their skincare products, and none may be as essential as a moisturizer. With all the fancy names, marketing terms, and various benefits of your moisturizer options, how are you supposed to know what’s best for your unique skin type? And is there even a difference between a lotion and a cream? Let’s find out together.
What is a Lotion?
There aren’t many guidelines that define what constitutes a lotion. However, a good place to start is to acknowledge that lotion generally doesn’t have a lot of oil in its formula and is water-based. This allows lotions to be applied to the skin quickly, making it feel lighter and goes on thinner.
What is a Cream?
Creams are typically made with an equal amount of water and oil; a 50/50 balance. This means they have thicker viscosities and are heavier-feeling on the skin. Creams are often advertised for specific body areas, such as the face or feet, depending on the care needed, such as rough foot skin or delicate, dry facial skin.
Differences and Similarities Between Lotions and Creams
The obvious and simplest thing lotions and creams have in common is that they help hydrate your skin with the oils they include. Some products, both lotions and creams, are specifically formulated for the face, whereas others can be used on both the face and body.
Creams are typically recommended for people with dryer skin, as the greater oil content makes them more emollient since they are more occlusive, helping keep more water within the skin, not lost to the environment. Lotions are generally recommended for most skin types, as creams can be too heavy for acne-prone and oil skin types due to their high oil content.
Which is Better For Each Skin Type?
Whether a lotion or cream is the best for you comes down to your skin type and your daily oil production. In either case, it’s essential to find a lotion or cream with high-quality ingredients that are non-irritating and easy to apply.
For Acne or Blemish-Prone Skin
Oily skin tends to be the most blemish-prone, as excess oil can trap dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris in your pores, providing the perfect environment for the acne-causing bacteria to move in. So, although it’s tempting to simply skip using moisturizer and focus instead on drying it out, you’re better off giving your skin a slight nudge toward moisture so it doesn’t get overly dry and ramp up oil production even more.
Because of this, the best moisturizer for oily skin is a light, gentle moisturizer. We recommend our Acidophilus Probiotic Facial Cream, which feels light on your skin. This is enriched with Lactobacilli Acidophilus and Micronized Silver to maintain a fresh and flawless-looking complexion.
For Dry Skin
People with dry skin are perhaps the most aware of the need for a good moisturizer to keep them feeling hydrated and smooth. But at the same time, going too heavy with a cream can leave many people’s skin feeling greasy. That’s why we developed our popular Hydro Plus Moisturizer for people with dry and/or sensitive skin. Its rich formula strikes the perfect balance between feeling lightweight and absorbing quickly while providing lasting moisture for a soft complexion.
For Normal or Combination Skin
If you have a normal experience with your skincare, you likely don’t need to worry too much about creams, as a bit of moisture in the morning and evening is all you need after cleansing your face. You can, however, try products that do more than just moisturize, like our Facial Emulsion Enzyme Moisturizer, which is formulated with Epicuren’s Metadermabolic Protein Enzyme Complex. Or try our Nourish Daily Antioxidant Moisturizer for a daily dose of skin antioxidants.
How to Find the Best Lotion/ Cream for Your Skin Type
Finding the right lotion or cream starts with understanding what your skin needs, whether it is lightweight hydration or intensive nourishment. If your skin tends to be oily or acne-prone, a non-comedogenic lotion with a water-based formula may absorb better and reduce excess shine. Dry or mature skin may benefit more from a richer cream that locks in moisture and helps support the skin barrier. Pay attention to how your skin feels after moisturizing and look for high-quality ingredients that align with your goals, such as botanicals, antioxidants, or actives. It is important that you choose products that are easy to use consistently and make your skin feel its best.
High-Quality Skincare Products From Epicuren Discovery
Whatever your skin type and preference for moisturizer, Epicuren Discovery has the daily care and specialty products that can help you take your skincare routine to the next level. Browse our moisturizers or take our Skin Quiz to discover all the products we recommend for your unique skin type and skincare goals.
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