Moisturizer vs. Lotion

After stepping out of the shower and toweling off, should you reach for a lotion, a cream or something else? There's a difference between the types of products you may choose to use based on your skin type and needs.

There are ointments, creams and lotions available on the market, but let's focus on the two most common types: moisturizers versus lotions. What is the difference, and why should you use one over the other?

The question is a bit tricky, because one is actually a type of the other. Moisturizers - which aim to hydrate and comfort the skin - embody a category of skin products that range from water-based to thicker petroleum jelly-based formulas. Lotions, creams and ointments contain combinations of these types of ingredients, so lotions are actually a type of moisturizer, which is a spectrum of products.

Texture and Consistency

The first difference you'll notice between what you might call a lotion and a moisturizer, also known as a cream (or an ointment), is texture. Lotion tends to be a thinner texture that goes on more smoothly and feels less greasy or sticky. That's one of the reasons we typically will opt for lotion on the face.

Creams lean more toward being thicker and greasier, but they are also better at hydrating those stubborn dry and flaky areas of our skin, like heels and elbows. These types of products are also better at forming barriers to protect the skin. Think of it like the example of applying a cream to a baby's bottom to keep it protected from chaffing or getting irritated. It's all about hydrating the skin and protecting it from the elements.

Choosing Your Moisturizer or Lotion

Deciding which type of skin hydrator to use depends on a variety of factors. For those with "normal" type skin, the decision can simply be based upon the fragrance or a want to make the skin appear more supple or have a slight glow. However, sensitive or dry skin types may benefit more from a lotion formulated specifically to address that issue. A thicker body cream or even an ointment with ingredients that will soothe and hydrate the skin or calm itchy and tight-feeling skin. These products may also be good choices for cold winter months, when the skin is drier and likely to crack. A cream or ointment will form a better barrier from the elements and hold hydration in.

There's also a personal preference factor here. Many people prefer a light-weight lotion that smooths on more easily than a thicker consistency body cream. And of course, most people apply lotions to the face and creams or ointments to the body.

Vitabath® Moisturizers, Creams and Oils

Vitabath offers a wide array of moisturizing lotions, body creams and body oils. Our Moisturizing Lotions contain rich emollients like aloe vera and shea butter as well as vitamins A, C and E, and essential amino acids to replenish skin's moisture and keep it feeling silky soft. They also come in a variety of alluring fragrances - the icing on the cake for these fabulously luxuriant yet affordable products.

For extra dry skin, try our Plus for Dry Skin™ Moisturizing Lotion with a soft scent of jasmine and violet overlaid with spice and white musk.

Vitabath's Original Spring Green™ lotion - the most popular fragrance in our Classic line - contains rosemary extract for extra nourishment and is infused with a combination of pine, patchouli and rosewood.

Other options include our sensual Orchid Intrigue™ Moisturizing Lotion with alluring and warm amber notes and our Spa Skin Therapy™ Lotion that has subtle scents of floral, citrus and sandalwood for an ocean-fresh scent, plus sea kelp extract for an extra layer of nourishment.

Our Moisturizing Lotion is available in 20-ounce bottles with a convenient pump, or in 10-ounce bottles as part of our Everyday Set that's ideal for gifting. The sets include a matching fragrance of Vitabath Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gelée, plus a foam-enhancing shower pouf to heighten your fragrance experience as you cleanse and soften your skin.

Our Body Creams, are a non-greasy yet uber rich formulation clinically proven to improve skin's moisture by 82%. These contain antioxidant-rich superfruits, skin-conditioning vitamins, shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil. Vitabath body creams' thick, rich formulas are fueled with intense moisturizing ingredients specifically designed to leave your skin soft, silky and nourished.

Opt for Cucumber & White Tea, mingling the fresh scent of cucumber with soft florals and soothing white tea, or go for the minty eucalyptus scent in our Cool Spearmint & Thyme™ Body Cream. Other options include Lavender Chamomile, Heavenly Coconut Creme™ and Pomegranate Bellini Blush™ Body Cream.

Our creams come in eight-ounce tubes or as a set of one-ounce tubes in our Body Cream Trio Set. The products are free of parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates and dyes.

For dry or dull skin, Vitabath Body Oils are a lush marriage of essential oils, skin-loving oils and vitamins that leave your skin feeling amazingly soft and silky. Our lightweight formula is ideal for repairing tired, flaky skin.

Try our oils in alluring fragrances like Cool Spearmint & Thyme™, Heavenly Coconut Creme™ or Lavender Chamomile. They come in 12-fluid-ounce bottles and are paraben- and dye-free.