What is the Difference Between Face Cream and Body Lotion?

The big difference between face cream and body lotion is, of course, where you apply it. There are many different brands of skin care products on the market, with different formulas catering to select areas of the human body. Not only are there general face creams and body lotions, there are also eye serums, foot lotions, lip balms, and even cuticle creams. While the brand names and price may vary significantly among face cream and body lotion, the basic formula and method of use are fortunately constant.

Your face is the first part of your body that people see upon meeting you, and it is the face that provides the first visual impression. In order to preserve the youthful and fresh appearance of the facial skin, cosmetologists and dermatologists recommend a daily regimen of face cream applications. It is important for preventing the signs of premature aging, especially since the face is the first body part to succumb to excessive alcohol usage, smoking, fatigue, and stress. Facial skin also secretes more oily sebum from its pores than other body parts, especially when exposed to sunlight. In this sense the face is a high risk area for skin damage and must be protected early on.

The body, on the other hand, is everywhere below the neck and is often concealed under clothes, depending on weather. Because the body's skin is subject to less environmental damage, signs of premature aging are not as easily found as on the face, although excessive exposure to sunlight may prove the statement wrong. If a person is not well hydrated then he or she may have trouble retaining moisture in the skin, making it feel coarse and dry.

Face cream usually contains a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF) due to its higher exposure to sun. Some face creams also claim to combat dryness, imbalances in sebum production, and acne based on ingredients. For example in younger people, face cream that contains alpha hydroxy acid, an enzyme that eats away the dull, dead layers of the skin to reveal a rejuvenated layer underneath has been recommended by dermatologists. For older people, face creams that actively fight signs of aging by reducing lines and wrinkles are desirable. Face creams are usually categorized by the type of skin they are intended to treat: dry, normal, oily, and combination. These different types of skin vary based on distribution of sebum production and all require different formulas of face cream.

Body lotion is usually a quickly absorbable formula that is intended to retain or replenish lost moisture. By helping the skin stay hydrated, it improves the look and feeling of softness in body skin, which is desirable. The formula of body lotion contains more water than oil, creating a thinner formula that is appropriate for daily, all-over use. Body lotion does not require a regimen, although many people find it convenient to apply it right after a shower or before going outdoors. Unlike face cream, body lotion comes in many scents. While facial skin is more sensitive to fragrance and other additives, body skin is naturally less prone to such irritation. Manufacturers of both these products have featured plant extracts, essential volatile oils, and emollients in their products, to try to enhance the lotion's marketable properties. Both face cream and body lotion can be found at any retailer where skin care products are sold.



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