Choosing A Moisturiser: Lotion Vs Cream For Dry Skin

Dry and cracked skin can cause huge discomfort such as soreness, tightness, roughness and even itchiness sometimes. All we want is healthy, supple and well-hydrated skin.

But when we are overwhelmed with so many different choices of moisturisers, it can get overwhelming and confusing pretty quickly. For instance, if our skin is feeling dry, do we go for a lotion or a cream moisturiser? Is there even a difference between these two types?


While both lotion and cream are mixtures of water and oil and can help to hydrate the skin, there are some key differences:


What Is A Lotion?
Typically, lotions have a higher percentage of water with lower percentage of oil. Lotions generally tend to feel very light-weight and non-greasy. You usually find them in pump bottles as they tend to have a liquid and runny consistency.

Lotions tend to evaporate much quicker and are best for normal skin type or in tropical climates where the humidity levels are much higher.


What Is A Cream?
While cream is also a mixture of water and oil, the oil percentage is much higher as compared to a lotion. This is why cream tend to be richer and more nourishing. They are usually housed in jars or tubes as they have a thicker and creamier consistency.

Cream is best for dry skin type and is also good for normal skin during the times humidity levels are low. This includes winter periods, in a desert climate or even in an air-conditioned room. The cream acts as a protective barrier to keep your skin well hydrated.


“But I hate using cream, it makes my skin feel sticky or oily.”When it comes to using a cream moisturiser, the biggest concern for most people is the uncomfortable feeling of something oily and heavy sitting on top of the skin.

However, not all cream moisturiser will leave you feeling like an oily, sticky mess. Don’t be afraid to experiment around to find one that feels good on your skin. Every one of us have different preferences, which is why it is important that you choose a moisturiser that you like and use it regularly. In Simply Better Barrier™, we select lightweight yet nourishing oils such as squalane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed oil that does not leave the skin feeling oily or tacky.

We hope this helps you decide what type of moisturiser is more suitable for you. Let us know in the comments what is your preferred type of moisturiser!