Can You Use Body Lotion On The Face? What Will Happen?

Whats the difference between the skin on your body and the skin on your face?

The primary distinction between the skin on your face and everywhere else is thickness. (And even among body parts, there’s variation.) Board-certified New York City dermatologist Shari Lipner tells Allure that the skin on your face is thinner than the rest of your body, with the periorbital skin around your eyes among the thinnest.

According to Healthline, your face contains the highest concentration of sebaceous glands. Those glands are responsible for producing oil, the amount of which can be dependent upon hormone changes and environmental conditions. Your thin, gland-abundant face is far more sensitive and fickle than your body. Plus, it's more frequently exposed to the elements, particularly the sun and its harmful UV rays, adding yet another variable.

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Ingredients of a Body Lotion:

When choosing a body lotion for your skin, it’s important for you to know what ingredients it contains. Every skin type has its own unique issues, and it is important to understand what you are putting on your skin to avoid any flare-ups or adverse reactions. These are some of the most common ingredients found in body lotions:

1. Ceramides – Ceramides are lipid molecules found in the membrane of skin cells, and are credited with helping to prevent moisture loss. Ceramides help maintain and restore the skin’s barrier function, sealing in the moisture
2. Essential fatty acids – Also known as healthy fats, essential fatty acids provide cells with the fuel they need to carry out biological processes. The body doesn’t produce essential fatty acids on its own, so they must be absorbed from your diet or lotion. The skin needs this fuel for the moisturising function, and to keep itself healthy and glowing
3. Glycerine, glycols and polyols – These ingredients have a special power to draw in and retain moisture, making them essential in soaps and cleansers. The presence of these ingredients means that your skin will not be stripped of its natural moisture when using the said products
4. Hyaluronic acid – The hyaluronic acid molecule absorbs about 1,000 times its own weight in water. This ingredient offers a quick and effective hydrating action, which keeps collagen and elastin moist and functioning. If you have oily skin, hyaluronic acid is the perfect ingredient – it is lightweight, non-oily and safe to use even for acne-prone complexions
5. Peptides – Peptides are amino acids that tell your skin how to function properly. They also help your skin to produce collagen, which keeps the skin youthful by reducing the appearances of wrinkles over time. Peptides are also known to be helpful in minimising the symptoms of skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and dermatitis
6. Vitamin E – This essential ingredient works to hydrate skin, promotes healthy elasticity, and even defends against free radicals. This makes it the ideal anti-ageing ingredient, and hence, most face and body care products today include Vitamin E
7. Antioxidants – Antioxidants fight free radicals, cell damage and wrinkles, and are really good for your skin. There are many types of anti-oxidants, which can be absorbed through food as well as body lotions, keeping your skin healthy inside out

 

Where Can You Buy a Body Lotion?

Supermarket shelves are full of body lotions and you will always be spoilt for choice. It is important, however, to pick up a lotion from a reliable brand. Large supermarket chains will have a wider range of products, and you will be able to find a formulation suitable for you.

You can also shop online for a good body lotion that caters to your needs. Read up on what each one has to offer, and make the selection accordingly.

Can you use lotion if you shave?

Absolutely, in this case, you can opt to use lotion in your beard after shaving to keep your face moisturized.

But once your beard grows for about a month you should ditch the lotion.

For men who prefer maintaining a stubble, a lotion is a good option. It will moisturize your skin and beard.

To be on the safe side always just invest in good beard oil and there are many options on amazon designed for grooming your beard and keeping the skin beneath your beard moisturized.

Specifically, look for a beard oil with jojoba and argan oil. These two will moisturize and soften your beard.

These beard grooming products are made with natural ingredients that take care of your skin needs and at the same time nourishing your beard whether short or long.

We recommend sticking to products that have been made purposely for beards, do not attempt to use a product on your beard just because it has worked well on other parts of your body.

That said there are products that will work surprisingly both on your beard and other parts of your body.

Natural oils such as coconut, olive, shea butter, cocoa butter, and castor oil are good candidates to use on your body as well as your beard. 

Argan oil mixed with jojoba oil in the ratio of 1:1 will act as a good facial hair softener.

Are Body Lotions Different From Face Creams?

Yes. Listed below are the differences.

Face Creams Or Moisturizers	Body Lotions
Lightweight and penetrate deep into your skin’s thin layer and hydrate it from the core.	Thicker, heavier formulas designed to protect and hydrate your skin.
Contain active ingredients that mainly target enlarged pores, dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and other skin issues.	Contain a higher concentration of emollients that help protect and hydrate the skin.
Face moisturizers can help reduce acne breakouts and prevent sun damage. Certain moisturizers offer coverage against blemishes on your face.	The lotions for your body have different purposes – beyond simply hydrating. They typically address concerns such as skin firming, cellulite, and spider veins.

Since your face has more oil glands than the body, lotions meant for your body can make your face oily and clog your pores. If you are still wondering if applying body lotion on the face will cause any problems, scroll down to the next section.

What Are The Side Effects Of Using Body Lotion On Face?

1. Being thick in density, it can clog your small facial skin pores and cause an acne breakout.

2. Artificial fragrances used in a body moisturizer can trigger allergies on your face.

3. Ingredients and chemicals used in a body moisturizer may not suit your facial skin and can cause redness and rashes.

4. Facial skin is extremely sensitive and gentle, it may react negatively if you use body moisturizer. You may notice small bumps on your face.

5. Some people may not see any major difference after applying body moisturizer but that does not mean you should continue using it. It may cause plenty of skin issues after long term usage.

Warnings

• While applying lotion anywhere on your body, if you get a rash or your skin feels irritated, itchy, or hot, discontinue use immediately. Also take a look at the ingredients in the product so you can start to determine which ingredients you are allergic or very sensitive to.^[18]

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Body lotion: how to use

How to use body lotion for specific areas

Parts of the body, such as your elbows, hands, knees and neck, are prone to dryness more than others and may demand extra attention. To help soothe and soften very dry areas, you might like to apply body lotion to those areas throughout the day as well as after your bath or shower. 

• As you will likely be applying lotion to these targeted areas on dry, cool skin, try massaging the areas gently first to warm it up a little before applying the lotion. This will ensure the area absorbs the body lotion’s benefits.
• You can use your usual body lotion on these areas, or perhaps opt for one that delivers a bigger hydration hit or absorbs quickly. Perhaps you like a scented all-over body lotion but prefer a neutral smell for top-ups. 
• The iconic NIVEA Creme is perfect for spot-treating problem areas. Small enough to slip into a bag and rich in water retaining glycerin and skin-protecting Eucerit, its decades-long appeal is testament to its hydration-locking brilliance. 

How to use body lotion:

Convenience

Perhaps the most essential criteria for your body lotion is hydration-at-speed. If you prefer a minimal body care routine and want to shower and go, opt for a moisturiser that absorbs quickly. NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion – great for normal and dry skin – sinks deep into the skin leaving your body beautifully soft all day, while its lightweight leaves you ready to go within minutes. For a complete fuss-free experience, NIVEA Nourishing In-Shower Body Moisturiser is applied while you shower making it perfect for anyone looking for soft, supple skin quickly and conveniently. 

How Are Body Moisturizer And Face Cream Different From Each Other?

1. Facial Lotion or Cream

Face lotions or creams are extremely light in texture. Since the epidermis of the facial skin is thinner than the rest of the body, facial skin tends to be more sensitive. Therefore, it needs a product that is lighter in weight and will go deep into your skin and moisturize it to the core.

As the skin of men is different from that of women, the products and usage patterns would be different for each. A good facial lotion should contain hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic ingredients which means the ingredients do not trigger allergic reactions and do not clog your skin pores. It must also suit your skin type.

How to use

• Women should apply a face cream or facial moisturizer right after cleaning their face with a face wash or face cleanser. Applying face cream on slightly damp skin helps it to retain the moisture better.
• The skin of men is thicker and slightly rough due to the facial hair. Thus, facial lotion for men is thicker and stronger. Using a non-greasy facial lotion should be a regular part of your skincare regimen. Men should use the facial cream right after shaving when their skin needs to be moisturized the most.

2. Body Moisturizer [2]

The topmost layer of body skin is thicker than facial skin. This is why body moisturizers are heavier than face creams. Lightweight moisturizers won’t be able to enter your skin properly and will not provide the hydration you need.

A body moisturizer should be used daily, especially by those who stay in harsh climates like extreme cold or scorching weather or work in such harsh environments. If you do outdoor work or indulge in outdoor activities, your skin will need proper moisturization to stay healthy and nourished.

How to use

• Shower thoroughly to get rid of the dust your body has attracted throughout the day, and apply a moisturizer that suits your skin type.
• Apply the moisturizer on damp skin.
• Those with dry skin can opt for thick body butters such as cocoa butter, shea butter, or mango butter for skin moisturization.
• Those with oily skin can skip the body butter as it provides deep moisturization which may clog the pores of their already oily skin.
• Even if you have normal skin, a few parts of your body like elbows and knees will feel dry and rough. Pay these parts extra attention.
• Apply body moisturizer every night before going to bed to reduce dryness.

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