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What are the Different Types of Lotion Products?

B. Miller
B. Miller

There are a number of different types of lotion products designed to treat and condition the skin. Using lotion can be a great way to soften and condition the skin, help to heal blemishes, minimize the appearance of scars and stretch marks, or protect the skin from the sun. Some of the most common lotion products include facial lotion, body lotion, hand and foot cream, and lotion with added fragrance.

One of the most common types of lotion products is facial lotion. There are a number of different types of facial lotion available, all of which are usually designed to be non-comedogenic, or non pore-clogging. Face cream to treat and prevent wrinkles is very common, as well as face cream to promote clear skin. Facial lotion products designed for acne-prone skin typically include salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. In addition, facial lotion often contains sunscreen to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays from the sun.

A container of face cream.
A container of face cream.

Of course, body lotion may contain sunscreen as well. It is a good idea to wear sunscreen whenever one will be spending any time outside. Body lotion is typically designed to be applied to areas such as the arms, legs, and stomach, or especially dry areas such as the elbows and knees. It is typically thicker than facial lotion, and may not be non-comedogenic; this means it has the potential to clog the pores, which is why body lotion should not be used on the face. Sometimes body lotion will include a fragrance, which may also be referred to as perfume lotion.

Lotion.
Lotion.

Other types of body lotion products include lotion for the hands and the feet. Hand lotion is typically intended to be very moisturizing without being greasy, whereas foot lotion is typically very thick and rich in order to soften the thick skin on the feet. For people who have very dry skin or who suffer from eczema, thick, rich lotions are the best choice for the body in order to treat the dry skin and to prevent it from cracking.

Some lotions are used to reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
Some lotions are used to reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.

Some lotion products make claims such as an ability to treat stretch marks, to help tone and tighten the skin, or to reduce cellulite. Though some stretch mark creams containing ingredients such as cocoa butter may be partly effective, most such claims are unproven. Though the lotion will likely not be harmful, it is also quite unlikely that it will make any difference regarding the tightness of the skin or the appearance of cellulite.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

Which type of lotion is good at treating and preventing stretch marks?

There are several of them at the store and are quite pricey too. I'm just wondering if these work better than regular body lotions. I mean, aren't basically all body lotions made of the same ingredients?

I'm five months pregnant and my belly is going to start getting bigger and bigger pretty soon. If I can prevent stretch marks with lotion that would be great. I'm already using regular body lotion after showers. Do you think I should buy another one especially for stretch marks?

turquoise

Both my son and daughter have very sensitive skin and eczema. We tried everything and the only type of lotion that works are lotions with petrolatum (glycerin).

The lotion says that it forms a protective cover and prevents moisture from escaping. It works really well when I use a lot of this on my kids after a bath. It's the only way I've been able to keep their eczema under control. Other lotions, no matter what they claim, have been too drying for them.

ysmina

I do have body lotion but sometimes I forget to put it on. I never forget to apply face moisturizer though. I have two different ones for morning and night. I have oily skin so my morning moisturizer is a gel formula that is less oily. The night moisturizer is a creme formula which is more oily than the gel. At night, I need something that moisturizes really well because I heard that the skin tends to dry out during the night.

Both of my face moisturizers are designed to control oil production and lock in the natural moisture of my face. I think these kind of lotions work the best for oily and acne prone skin. I have been using them for several years and my skin is doing really well.

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    • A container of face cream.
      By: picsfive
      A container of face cream.
    • Lotion.
      By: MM
      Lotion.
    • Some lotions are used to reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
      By: jolopes
      Some lotions are used to reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
    • Foot lotions tend to be thicker than other lotions.
      By: amaxim
      Foot lotions tend to be thicker than other lotions.
    • Lotions for the body might be use to address the skin issues that occurr on the arms and legs.
      By: maska82
      Lotions for the body might be use to address the skin issues that occurr on the arms and legs.
    • Pump bottles are useful for homes and offices where several people share the lotion.
      By: siraphol
      Pump bottles are useful for homes and offices where several people share the lotion.
    • Some lotions are formulated specifically for feet.
      By: Nobilior
      Some lotions are formulated specifically for feet.
    • Thick, rich lotions can be used to soothe eczema.
      By: eyetronic
      Thick, rich lotions can be used to soothe eczema.
    • A person looking to treat acne should find lotion products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
      By: badmanproduction
      A person looking to treat acne should find lotion products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
    • Some hand lotions contain anti-wrinkling properties.
      By: Elenathewise
      Some hand lotions contain anti-wrinkling properties.