Choosing the best body lotion to soothe your skin

A body lotion is one of those skin must-haves that you just can’t do without. We often spend a lot of time seeking good products and care for our face but the skin on your body too, needs just as much attention. A moisturising body lotion is an excellent way to ensure that your skin is hydrated, soft and protected. 

Just like a face cream, body lotions are made of rich, skin-friendly ingredients and have  easy-to-absorb formulations that are designed to moisturise your skin and also keep the existing moisture from leaving your epidermis. However, conventionally creams have more oil content and lotions have more water content and are easier to spread and apply all over your skin. You’ll find some generic lotions in the market while some that are specifically designed to tackle common skin problems like pigmentation, sun damage, itchiness, etc.

In this article you’ll read about the importance of a body and how to choose the best body lotion for your skin type.

Benefits of using a body lotion regularly

1. Moisturises your skin

We often lose the natural moisture in our skin due to environmental factors and as a natural process. Hence, it is important to replenish your skin’s moisture levels throughout the day to keep your skin from becoming dry, dehydrated and cracked. A body lotion for dry skin helps your skin from getting irritated or itchy.

2. Forms a protective barrier

A good body lotion not only improves the skin barrier but also helps in improving your skin’s natural defense against its surrounding aggressors such as heat, cold, pollution and even mechanical friction (a common reason for pigmentation around elbows and knees). It also helps in protecting your skin from foreign bacteria.

3. Helps in treating dry spots

The extra-dry parts of your skin need extra care from your end or they will turn into permanent dry spots. A body lotion comes in handy for this problem as it re-hydrates the dry patches and keeps your skin soft and supple.

4. Aids in healing

Some body lotions come with healing natural ingredients that help your skin heal faster against environmental damage. If you have sensitive skin, look for ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera gel etc.

5. Protects from sun damage

Many body lotions come with sun-protecting ingredients and SPF formulas that protect your skin against pigmentation, burns, and inflammation caused due to sun exposure.

6. Gives your skin a natural glow

Moisturised skin is equal to glowing skin! Only when you are meeting your skin’s moisture needs can you expect it to look radiant and young. A good body lotion is essential for this.

7. Minimises signs of aging

Dry skin is more prone to damage and shows early signs of ageing. By using a good body lotion, you’re not only fulfilling the short term goal of hydrating your skin but also keeping your skin healthy in the long run.

What makes a body lotion good?

Choosing the best body lotion is no rocket science. Simply put, a body lotion should make your skin look good and feel fabulous. However, doing a quick screening of the ingredients, fragrances and preservatives used in the product can help you protect your skin from allergies and side effects.

The best body lotion meets the following requirements: 

1. Made with natural ingredients
2. Non comedogenic in nature, ie, shouldn’t block your pores
3. Should be free of artificial fragrance, parabens, and drying alcohols. 
4. Should suit your skin-type 

One body lotion that ticks all the right boxes is Kama Ayurveda Rose & Jasmin Body Moisturiser that works extremely well for all skin types. This enriching formulation contains the goodness of rose, jasmine, lime and beetroot to combat dryness and pigmentation and give you soft, naturally radiant skin. The easy-to-absorb aloe vera juice delivers these healing ingredients to your skin, while lime and beetroot extract brighten complexion. Essential oils of rose and jasmine repair damaged skin and deeply moisturise your skin from within. This divinely fragrant moisturiser is free of sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals. 

Another must have for the colder months is  Kama Ayurveda Shea Lotus Body Butter. This wonderful product is made of an enriching, intense-moisturising formula with the super hydrating natural butters of shea and kokum. The nourishing base is composed of cold pressed coconut oil and organic sweet almond oil which restores your skin’s moisture balance while making it smooth and supple. In addition, the essential oil of lotus helps relax your skin. Together these ingredients hydrate your skin while also fighting signs of ageing, improves skin elasticity, minimising and stretch marks.

Kama Ayurveda Shea Lotus Body Butter. This wonderful product is made of an enriching, intense-moisturising formula with the super hydrating natural butters of shea and kokum. The nourishing base is composed of cold pressed coconut oil and organic sweet almond oil which restores your skin’s moisture balance while making it smooth and supple. In addition, the essential oil of lotus helps relax your skin.

How to use body lotion?

1. You can use Kama Ayurveda Shea Lotus Body Butter throughout the day but it best works if applied after a bath.

1. Post shower, liberally apply the product to the entire body and massage in an upward motion until completely absorbed. 

1. Focus on the abrasive regions like the elbows and knees. Reapply whenever skin feels tight, unpleasant, or dry.

How to apply body lotion?

A common myth is that a body lotion must be applied on dry skin. But it is ideal to apply it on warm, damp skin shortly after a bath or shower to draw the maximum benefit from the product. 

You can apply body lotion after shower and right before going to bed. Other than that, re-apply throughout the day whenever your skin demands it.

How to choose body lotion

Are you looking for body lotion for summer or winter? Or do you need a body lotion for dry skin or glowing skin? Your purpose and skin needs shall dictate which body lotion will be best for you.

1. Best body lotion for dry skin

Dry skin demands more moisture than  other skin types. For this, you need to make sure that you're choosing a rich, creamy body lotion to combat dryness. An ideal body lotion for dry skin in summer and winter would contain body oils (organic or cold-pressed)  hydrating oils and natural butters.

2. Best body lotion for normal skin

It is not hard to take care of a normal skin type and you can keep your skin care routine pretty straightforward and make things work with just a single application of body lotion throughout the day. You can look out for skin-friendly ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and light-weight oils to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

3. Best Body lotion for oily skin

A lot of people believe that oily skin doesn't need body lotion since it's already struggling with excess oil. The reality, in fact, is the opposite. Your skin is secreting excess sebum BECAUSE it is not getting adequate hydration. Hence, you must select a light-weight and oil-free lotion (you can go for a water base or gel base) to keep your skin happy and hydrated.

So now you know everything about choosing the best body lotion and to use it! It is time to select the suitable body lotion for your skin type and take the first step towards happy and healthy skin.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/shea-butter-benefits

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-shea-butter

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10086859/