Dry Skin: Lotion Or Cream?

Dry Skin: Lotion Or Cream?

 

Combination dry skin can require some knowledge of when to use a dry skin lotion or when to go for a cream. Lotions, typically, are for areas of the body that have some oily patches along with dry skin. In order not to clog the pores of the skin with more sebaceous glands, some people opt for a lotion instead of a cream. The face is one such area where people like lotions if they have an oily T-zone and dry patches elsewhere. However, on areas that have strictly dry skin, like the hands, elbows, or arms, then you might want to go with a heavier cream. There is little risk of irritating sebaceous glands on your hands, as there are few located there.
The actual difference between most lotions and cream is the oil to water ratio. If there is more oil than water, you have a cream. If you have more water than oil, you have a lotion. Unfortunately, one has to look at the ingredients on the label of any dry skin lotion or cream to understand whether it really is good for dry skin or not. Some manufacturers add alcohol to their lotions and this is actually a drying agent and should be avoided.