The Top 5 Benefits of Body Lotion You Must Know

The skin is not only the largest organ in the body. It’s also the organ that’s in direct contact with the elements. So, it’s unsurprising that the skin usually bears the brunt of extreme weather conditions and serves as a passageway for pathogens and other toxic chemicals. 

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to improve the health of your skin. One such method is using a high-quality, dermatologically tested lotion. 

This article looks at the top five benefits of body lotions you must know. But first, let’s start by understanding what lotions are.

What Is A Body Lotion?

A body lotion is a topical preparation formulated from water and oil, intended to be applied to the skin for the purposes of moisturizing or rehydrating it. 

Most lotions are applied either with bare hands or using cotton wool. These products are comparatively more effective at achieving skin softness, smoothness, and radiance than other dermatological preparations. 

Besides their moisturizing effects, some body lotions contain additional healing properties. It all depends on their active ingredients. 

Now, the skincare market teems with hundreds of body lotion brands. However, not every lotion you come across is safe for your skin. That underscores the significance of due diligence while shopping for these products. 

Always insist on a high-quality body lotion from a reputable beauty shop. Be sure to also read the product’s ingredient list to ensure it contains non-toxic compounds.  

Are Body Lotions Similar To Body Creams?

The terms “body lotion” and “body cream” are often used interchangeably. But while both are formulated from a combination of water and oil, they have specific fundamental differences. 

For starters, body lotions tend to be lighter in consistency than body creams. That explains why most lotions are sold in bottles designed with pumps or tubes, whereas creams typically come in tubs. 

But despite being lighter, body lotions provide a heavier barrier than body lotions. Lotions are preferable if you’re looking for long-lasting hydration and moisturizing benefits. 

However, note that the longevity of effects provided by lotions doesn’t give them a longer shelf life. Creams tend to last way longer than lotions. 

Lotions also contain less oil than creams. In terms of the ideal season for use, lotions are more effective during hotter months, while creams will serve you better in winter.

What Are The Benefits Of Body Lotion?

→ 1. Rehydrating Dried Skin

This is unarguably the biggest benefit of body lotions. Nearly every lotion brand you’ll come across contains some rehydrating properties. 

Numerous compounds in body lotions account for their moisturizing effects. A notable mention is aloe vera. 

Thanks to their rehydrating properties, body lotions are particularly suitable for people who live or work in harsh climates. These include extremely hot, cold, or windy conditions. 

Hot weather promotes perspiration. But while sweating helps cool the skin, excessive moisture loss can lead to chapped or dried skin. It’s only worse if the conditions are also humid. 

The same phenomenon is common during winter and windy months. 

Body lotions add a thin film to the skin. This coating prevents moisture loss without interfering with the skin’s core physiological functions, such as perspiration.

→ 2. Revitalizing Dull Skin

Glowing skin is everyone’s desire. 

Even if you don’t work in the beauty or modeling industry, stepping out with a glimmering skin will instantly draw some spotlight onto yourself. Besides, it helps you look younger than your actual age. 

Fortunately, this is another benefit you might derive from body lotions. 

A quality body lotion can brighten your skin tone by adding glimmer and shimmer. 

You’ll actually realize that most lotions tend to show up on the skin as tiny sparkling flecks. These flecks brighten the skin while also removing dull, dead flakes. The result is a totally rejuvenated skin tone. 

Applying these products after bathing or showering is one way to achieve glowing skin using body lotions. This way, you get to lock the moisture in while adding a sparkling layer to the skin.

→ 3. Replenishing Extra-dry Skin Areas

Most people have either normal or oily skin tone. However, several rough areas will always be on the body, including the elbows, knees, and knuckles. 

These rough spots on the skin can benefit immensely from body lotions. 

The trick is to apply a body lotion across your entire skin after every bath or shower, focusing a little more on these rough areas. 

You might also consider applying lotion at bedtime to soften these rough patches overnight. 

On a long enough timeline, the extra-dry spots on your skin will become softer and more radiant, just like the rest of your body. 

Besides the rough areas on the skin, body lotions may also benefit people with naturally dry skin. You can tell that you have dry skin if your hands and heels immediately toughen after exposure to water.

→ 4. Fighting Premature Aging

Aging is a natural process that all living organisms undergo. However, certain genetic predispositions, medical conditions, and environmental factors can cause the skin to age disproportionately faster than a person’s actual chronological age. 

This is another area where body lotions can come in handy. 

Many body lotions are formulated with anti-aging compounds. Examples include natural herbs like ginger, cinnamon, basil, oregano, and ashwagandha. 

These compounds combat premature aging by counteracting the adverse effects of free radicals in skin cells. 

Free radicals are chemical metabolites that result from various physiological processes in the body. 

The body has a way of excreting these compounds. However, for people with poor immunity, over-accumulation of free radicals in the cells might lead to various dermatological issues, including premature aging.

→ 5. Promoting Relaxation

A sense of relaxation sets in immediately after applying skincare products. 

Body lotions are particularly effective at soothing the mind, making them a potential remedy for stress and anxiety. Again, this has much to do with the active ingredients in these products. 

Most body lotions are formulated with anxiolytic herbs. Notable mentions are lavender, passionflower, chamomile, and valerian root. 

These plants fight stress and anxiety by increasing sensitivity to chemical neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, involved in regulating mental health. 

The therapeutic effects achieved by applying body lotions topically are similar to inhaling herbs through aromatherapy. 

Studies have shown that inhaling the essential oils in herbs like lavender increases sensitivity to the brain's limbic system, which regulates emotions, learning, and memory. 

Conclusion 

Body lotions are not created equal. While most lotions will provide the above benefits, it’s essential to research a product carefully before adding it to your skincare routine. As previously indicated, always insist on dermatologically certified lotions.