Do we all actually need a moisturizing lotion for face and one for body?
Sometimes the number of cosmetic products sprawled across my bathroom counter can feel overwhelming.
So when the skincare companies are creating different moisturizing lotion for face, body, hands, eyes, etc., I start to wonder just how necessary all of these products are.
And not that we were skincare experts in middle school, but didn’t we all use the Cucumber Melon scent from Bath and Body Works all over our face and body?
Not to disappoint you, but when it comes to moisturizing lotion for face and body, you most definitely need separate products.
And here’s why:
Moisturizing Lotion for Face Has Higher Quality Ingredients
Image via Live About
While we hate to act like conspiracy theorists, when it comes to moisturizers, not everything is as it appears.
It’s not totally malicious though, either.
Let me explain.
The skin on your face is much more sensitive than the skin on your body—and that applies to everyone.
So when different skincare companies are creating moisturizing lotion for face vs. moisturizing lotion for body, they can change the type of ingredients they are using.
For example, fragrances and cheaper ingredients can be used in body moisturizers since the skin on your body can “handle” it better than on your face.
While a moisturizing lotion for your body could be a great fit for your skin all over, it could also cause a major breakout or irritation on your face.
Which, in our opinion, just isn’t worth the risk.
All Skin is Not Created Equal
Image via SELF
Have you ever noticed just how much thicker body lotion is from face lotion?
That’s probably because the skin on your body is much thicker than the skin on your face.
And that thinner skin on your face is much more delicate, which I’m sure you already knew.
The skin on your body tends to replace cells at a much slower rate than the skin on your face. This is largely due to the fact that your body is exposed to more environmental factors than your face is.
Just think about the hand soap you use to wash your hands throughout the day. It’s likely much harsher than the face wash you use daily.
So with thicker skin, you can, and should, use a much heavier lotion—one that often times contains ingredients and oils that are far too harsh on your face.
Moisturizing lotion for face needs to be much lighter, and with far less ingredients and chemicals to take care of and hydrate that delicate skin.
If you’re looking for the right moisturizing lotion for your skin type, make sure you check out our post here.
Say Hello To Clogged Pores and Acne
If we haven’t already tattooed this on your brain, we’ll say it again.
Body moisturizers are much thicker and creamier than moisturizing lotion for face.
When you use that thick cream on your face, it allows dust and pollutants to deposit on the face and stay there until you wash them off.
This disgusting collection of dirt can cause (and likely will) clogged pores, which lead to acne.
So unless you want to jet back to the days of your high school skin, avoiding a body moisturizer for your face is best to keep blemishes at bay.
Care About Anti-Aging? Ditch The Body Moisturizer
Image via Cosmopolitan
When it comes to body moisturizers, there primary job is to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
That’s why you don’t see a ton of anti-aging body lotions on the shelves at Target.
In these heavier body moisturizers are often ingredients such as mineral oil and petrolatum, which provide an awesome barrier and keep skin from losing moisture in harsher conditions.
While these do an awesome job for your body, they are likely too intense for your face.
Even if your skin reacted fine to a body moisturizer, you aren’t going to rake in any anti-aging benefits, which most everyone is looking for.
Moisturizing lotion for face set out to not only relieve dry skin, but also include benefits such as sun protection, anti-aging, and anti-acne.
Your face moisturizer should be working for you, and substituting it out for a body lotion so you have one less jar on your bathroom sink just isn’t worth it.
So, here’s a quick recap of what we covered—while moisturizing lotion for face and lotion for body may share some of the basic ingredients, and are both looking to hydrate skin, the functions they need to perform to be effective are extremely different.
With awesome options are both the high end and drug store price point, it’s best to play it safe and purchase two separate moisturizers.
You’ll be doing your skin a favor.
