Body Lotion vs. Body Cream: Which Should You Use?

Body lotion and body cream are both moisturizers — products built to draw moisture into your skin and keep it there. And every moisturizer is primarily made of oil and water. The ratio of oil to water is the main thing that differentiates a lotion from a cream.

But wait. How do these products stay creamy if oil and water don't mix? They carry ingredients called emulsifiers that help the oil and water stay combined and stable for long periods of time. The concentration of these emulsifiers, plus thickeners and waxes, create the textural differences between lotion and cream.

So, let's compare body lotion versus cream to find out which one works best for your skincare routine.

What's Body Cream?

Body cream is a moisturizer that's about half oil and half water. Stir in a nutrient-rich fat like shea butter, stabilizing fatty alcohols, and a thickening gum or two, and you get a scoopable texture like cream cheese — hence the jar or tub instead of the bottle.

Creams mostly sit on top of the skin to seal in moisture. That's thanks to the heavy lipids that form a physical layer on your skin to prevent water from evaporating out. On dry, rough, or flaky skin, that's exactly what you want. And it's why creams are classed as nighttime moisturizers; they work best if left alone to do their thing for long periods of time.

What's Body Lotion?

Body lotion is mostly water with a much smaller share of oils, butters, and stabilizers to create a thinner texture like yogurt — hence the pump bottle.

Lotion relies on water-attracting ingredients (humectants) to pull moisture out of the air on a humid day. Humectants usually get paired with lighter oils to keep this moisture on your skin instead of letting it evaporate away. Lotions are great for daytime use since they sink into the upper layers of the skin quickly, leaving minimal residue.

Dr. Squatch Natural Lotion is a lightweight product that always starts with water so the formula spreads evenly across the skin. It uses several humectants to draw moisture from the air into the skin. And smaller doses of shea butter and coconut oil both provide moisture and create a protective barrier on the skin to reduce moisture loss.

Body Lotion vs. Cream: 3 Key Differences

On paper, the difference between lotion and cream is the water-to-oil ratio. On your skin, it shows up in these three places.

1. Texture and Consistency

Thick cream creates a shield, which stands between your skin and strong winds, severe cold, or dry heat. But that same thickness works against you on body hair. Body cream doesn't spread evenly through arm, leg, or chest hairs. It can leave white flecks that can feel impossible to rub in. Lotion is thin enough to run straight past the hairs to the skin underneath.

2. Hydration Level

Many people reach for creams before lotion to hydrate their skin. Think of watering the yard: Lotion is the water, while cream adds a layer of mulch over the top to seal it in.

But modern body lotions lock in moisture well, too. Neither one offers a hydration guarantee, though, and consistency matters more than what's on the label. Reapplying after a shower or a long stretch outside does more for you than agonizing over which texture to buy.

3. Absorption Speed

Lotion absorbs fast and leaves almost no trace, making it ideal for normal days and rushed mornings. A rich body cream takes its time because of heavy oils — some of which stay behind to form a protective surface film. What you're waiting on is dry-down time, and that timeline depends on the formula's weight and how much you slathered on.

What Type of Moisturizer Should You Use?

Knowing when to use body cream and body lotion depends on where you're using it, as well as the ingredient list. For everyday use, a natural lotion is a great all-arounder. But for specific areas, you may need a different approach.

For Hands

The skin on the backs of your hands is thin and prone to drying out, and every trip to the sink removes some of your natural oils right along with the dirt.

Switching to a natural soap, like Dr. Squatch Hand Soap, helps cleanse gently. But even still, your hands might need some backup. Use a fast-absorbing lotion during the day shift. Then, apply a rich cream at night so that heavy coat gets eight uninterrupted hours to hydrate and protect.

For Face

Your face has the highest concentration of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands of anywhere on your body. This makes it uniquely sensitive to heavy formulas that can clog pores. Use a moisturizer that's formulated for your face, and add on a post-shave balm to soothe your skin any time you trim.

For Heels, Knees, and Elbows

Heels, knees, and elbows have fewer sebaceous glands than many other places on your body, which makes them more prone to dryness. Plus, they spend all day getting leaned on, walked on, and dragged across fabric, so they really take a beating.

Use cream here, at night, and don't be shy with it. Put it on while your skin is still damp from the shower since that heavy layer works best when there's water underneath it to trap. Skin that's been rough for a few weeks probably won't turn around after one coat, so reapply as needed.

Find Your Everyday Body Lotion With Dr. Squatch

For areas that need a little extra love, like cracked knuckles and dry heels, bring in a heavier body cream. But when it comes to your hands and body, Dr. Squatch Body Lotion is your Swiss Army knife that works almost anywhere. It's made with naturally derived ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil that draw and lock in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. And it comes in signature scents like Pine Tar and Coconut Castaway to suit your vibe.