If you suffer from dry, itchy skin or reddened hands that crack and bleed, you're far from alone. For proof, take a trip down the skin care aisle in just about any drugstore. There you'll find a seemingly endless array of body and hand lotions designed to moisturize and protect your thirsty skin. With a little information and a few minutes spent reading labels, you'll find one that's right for you.
The Basics of Lotions
Body and hand lotions are usually thinner and lighter than products labeled as creams. This gives them a less greasy feel and allows your skin to absorb them more quickly. However, this also means that lotions don't pack the moisturizing punch of a skin or hand cream.
For best results, reapply your body and hand lotion throughout the day, especially during the winter, when dry air and indoor heating conspire to drain moisture from your skin.
Choosing a Body Lotion
Body lotions range in price from decidedly cheap to truly outrageous, but you don't have to break the bank to find one that works. Most body lotions contain water and oils in an emollient base, such as lanolin, shea butter or cocoa butter that seal in moisture around your skin's cells.
If you have sensitive skin, look for a hypoallergenic body lotion, as they're free of the ingredients most likely to cause an allergic reaction.
When to Apply Body Lotion
The best time to apply body lotion, according to the University of Iowa's Department of Dermatology, is right after you've stepped out of the shower or bath, before your skin is completely dry. This gives the body lotion a chance to lock the extra water into your skin. If your skin tends to be dry all over, make certain that you aren't using too harsh a soap or washing with extra-hot water, both of which can parch your skin.
Protecting Your Hands
Hand lotions are especially necessary for medical professionals, busy parents, food service workers, and anyone else who washes hands repeatedly throughout the day. Hand soap removes dirt and kills bacteria, but it also strips your hands' delicate skin of protective oils and lipids. The emollients and humectants in hand lotion, along with other soothing ingredients such as aloe and vitamin E, replace your skin's missing lubricants and keep them soft and smooth.
Lotions with Sunscreen
If you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, consider a body and hand lotion with a built-in sunscreen. It will help protect your body from the sun's UVA and UVB rays, which can contribute to skin damage and even cancer.
Member Comments