The number one rule to happy, healthy skin is to always keep it hydrated and moisturised. Moisturising your skin is essential if you wish to avoid dry or even overly oily skin. Yes, despite popular belief, moisturising is important for all skin types. If you have dry or normal skin, you need it to overcome the dryness. If you have oily skin, moisturising regularly helps keep excess sebum production in check.
The important thing here is to make sure you pick the right moisturiser, but then comes the big question — How do we do that? Cream or Gel — which formulas do we pick? With the plethora of options available to us, picking the right one can be tricky. But not anymore because we’re going to tell you all about the difference between gel and cream lotions and which one is best for your skin type.
- What's the difference between gel and cream lotions?
- Gel lotion
- Cream lotion
- Who should go for gel-based lotion?
- Who should go for cream-based lotion?
What's the difference between gel and cream lotions?
Gel lotion
Gel-based lotions usually look like jelly and are colourless. They are thickened liquid that comprises mainly water and water-soluble compounds like aloe juice or glycerin. These lotions are water-based and have a typically oil-free formula. They are lightweight, non-sticky and are quickly absorbed by the skin.
Cream lotion
Coming to the second type, creme lotion. While their basic purpose remains the same - providing moisturisation - they vary greatly in the amount of water and oil used in their making. Typically, cream lotions are thicker in consistency, so they have a good amount of oil and water in them. The water helps absorb while the oil works to provide moisturisation.
However, this basic difference doesn’t make one type better than the other. This makes these lotions compatible and suitable for different skin types.
Who should go for gel-based lotion?
Gel-based lotions are usually great for people with acne-prone and oily skin. Since the formula used to make them is typically oil-free, it helps reduce and prevent oil buildup on your skin. This, in turn, helps hydrate your skin without the fear of breakouts or clogged pores. People with normal skin types can also choose gel lotions if their skin doesn’t run dry, and they want a non-sticky lotion for their skin, especially during hot and humid weather.
Our favourite gel-based lotion has to be the Vaseline Ice Cool Hydration Lotion. The gel formulation of this lotion makes it lightweight and non-sticky, which is just what you need if you have oily skin. It soothes the skin from heat and dryness and instantly cools the skin by -3 degrees, keeping it as cool as ice on a hot, humid day.
Who should go for cream-based lotion?
If your skin gets dry and flaky easily, then cream-based lotions are just what you need. The oil and water formula in cream-based lotions helps keep dry skin moisturised for a longer period. The water makes absorption better, while the oil helps heal dry skin. Dry skin people should avoid gel-based lotions as they can end up drying up your skin even more. These lotions work great in dry and cold seasons when your skin needs extra moisturisation.
The final takeaway is that your choice of lotion - either gel or cream - should solely depend on your skin type and needs.
Written by Tashika Tyagi on Jul 05, 2021
A writer who loves to read, travel, eat and explore new places and things. With a bachelor's degree in journalism, she has over two years of experience in writing about food, lifestyle, and travel. She also doubles up as a rom-com expert and home baker when she isn’t writing!