We've all been there. You're running late for a meeting, and you scraped out whatever remained of your go-to moisturiser yesterday — edges and all. You're too broke to get another one just yet, but you wouldn't dare to step out without moisturising your face. An idea strikes you. What if you were to use a body lotion as a facial moisturiser? You carelessly dab a few drops of your trusty body lotion on your face without a second thought... But, is it the best idea? While using body lotion and facial moisturisers interchangeably may seem a little insignificant, since they appear similar, it's not the greatest way to build an efficient skincare routine. One-off instances may be forgivable, but the bottom line is: you shouldn't use body lotion as a facial moisturiser. Here's why.
01The skin on the face is thinner and sensitive
Let's start with the basics. The skin on your face and the skin on your body is very different. While the skin on your body is thicker and much less prone to reactions, the skin on your face is much thinner and far more sensitive. Plus, your face is more frequently exposed to harmful environmental factors such as sun rays and pollution, and therefore, needs some special TLC that regular body lotions can't provide. Remember that you buy facial moisturisers for a reason — they are specially formulated to cater to skincare needs, while body lotions are more of a one-size-fits-all situation.
02It's all in the formula
Speaking of special formulations, face creams contain active ingredients that take care of specific skincare needs. If you have oily skin, you may opt for a moisturiser with salicylic acid in it. If you have dry skin, hyaluronic acid may be your ingredient of choice — and so on. Facial moisturisers contain specific ingredients based on the skin type and concern they're formulated for and have a lighter consistency that makes it okay to use heavy-duty ingredients on the face. On the other hand, body lotions contain emollients that hydrate the skin but are too heavy for the face's skin. Plus, most of them contain artificial fragrances, making them a poor choice for facial skin, especially the under-eye area.
03The thick formula can clog the pores
Since the body lotion formulas are much heavier and more emollient than facial moisturisers, they don't absorb quickly into the skin, thus leading to clogged up pores. And we know what we can look forward to when our pores are clogged — blackheads, whiteheads, breakouts, and milia.
04Cause unnecessary reactions
Body lotions won't work for those with skin conditions or facial sensitivity, either. Apart from irritating the skin, it can also trigger allergic reactions and aggravate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. And if you thought you could get away with using hand creams as a moisturiser instead, well, those are even thicker than body lotions and can cause worse breakouts. We think we'll just stick to our facial moisturisers and order before it runs out next time! Psst... Want a budget-friendly facial moisturiser that'll keep your face healthy and hydrated? The Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser is it. A hydrating, lightweight moisturiser that works for all skin types — yes, even sensitive skin — the non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated and supple all day long.
