Is there a difference between face and body lotion? The short answer is yes. While the products look, smell and feel the same, they are as dissimilar as night and day.
If it were up to most of us, our skincare routine would be a simple process involving the least number of products as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality, which is why many men make the mistake of moisturising their face with body lotion. But that tiny mistake has the potential to cost you big time. Before we explain why face lotion is better for your facial skin, let’s start by unpacking the difference between the skin on your face and the rest of your body.
What’s the Difference Between Facial and Body Skin?
One word describes the difference between facial and body skin: thickness. The skin on your face is much thinner than the rest of your body. In addition, your face contains the highest cluster of sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing an oily secretion called sebum. This oily, waxy substance coats, moisturises and protects your skin.
How Do Face and Body Lotions Differ?
Because facial skin is thinner than body skin, face lotions are usually lighter than body lotions. Body lotions contain thicker moisturisers in order to properly moisturise and tend to the needs of your body skin, and these ingredients can be too heavy to use on facial skin. Face lotions contain more specialised active ingredients that are specific for facial skin needs such as dark spots, acne, oiliness, pores etc. In addition, your face is also frequently exposed to outside elements like UV rays, which is why most face lotions contain essential sun protection factors, while most body lotions do not because your body is covered by clothing throughout the day. Due to the differences in facial and body skin, the skin needs differ, which is why all these factors are taken into account when developing these formulations.
So what’s the bottom line? Using body lotion on your face should not be a part of your skincare routine. Your face is probably the first thing people notice about you, so it’s in your best interests to take care of it. Beyond just using products, a good skincare routine is also about using the right products for the right part of the body. The skin on your face is very sensitive, and precautions should be taken not to aggravate it. And this level of caution should also be exercised with the rest of your body. If perhaps, you have very dry body skin, there’s no use grabbing the first lotion you see. Instead, go for a Vaseline lotion that’s specially formulated for your skin type. Your skin will thank you for it!
