Math Is Fun Forum

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 53,239

Lotion

Lotion

Gist

Lotion is primarily used to moisturize and hydrate skin, keeping it soft, smooth, and supple by locking in moisture and restoring the skin's protective barrier, which helps relieve dryness, flakiness, and itching, while also offering protection from environmental stressors and enhancing skin's appearance. It's a lightweight emulsion, usually of oil and water, designed for easy application to the body to maintain skin health and comfort.

Is lotion better than moisturizer?

Neither lotion nor moisturizer is inherently "better"; they serve different needs, with lotion being lighter for daily body hydration (more water, less oil), ideal for normal/oily skin or hot climates, while moisturizers (creams/ointments) are thicker, richer, and better for deep hydration, barrier repair, and very dry skin, often used on the face. Choose based on the body area and your skin's needs: lotion for the body, richer moisturizer for the face and very dry spots.

Summary

How to Use Body Lotion:

* Choose the right body lotion for your skin type.
* Apply lotion to cleansed skin immediately after a shower.
* Apply a coin-sized dollop of lotion on your palm and apply from the bottom up.
* Evenly distribute the lotion over your entire body.
* Use a separate product for your face lotion or cream.

Skin-care preparations

Preparations for the care of the skin form a major line of cosmetics. The basic step in facial care is cleansing, and soap and water is still one of the most effective means. Cleansing creams and lotions are useful, however, if heavy makeup is to be removed or if the skin is sensitive to soap. Their active ingredient is essentially oil, which acts as a solvent and is combined in an emulsion (a mixture of liquids in which one is suspended as droplets in another) with water. Cold cream, one of the oldest beauty aids, originally consisted of water beaten into mixtures of such natural fats as lard or almond oil, but modern preparations use mineral oil combined with an emulsifier that helps disperse the oil in water. Emollients (softening creams) and night creams are heavier cold creams that are formulated to encourage a massaging action in application; they often leave a thick film on the face overnight, thus minimizing water loss from the skin during that period.

Hand creams and lotions are used to prevent or reduce the dryness and roughness arising from exposure to household detergents, wind, sun, and dry atmospheres. Like facial creams, they act largely by replacing lost water and laying down an oil film to reduce subsequent moisture loss while the body’s natural processes repair the damage.

Details

Lotion is a low-viscosity topical preparation, typically an emulsion of oil and water, intended for application to unbroken skin for moisturizing, protective, cosmetic, or medicinal purposes. By contrast, creams and gels have higher viscosity, typically due to lower water content. Lotions are applied to external skin with bare hands, a brush, a clean cloth, or cotton wool.

While a lotion may be used as a medicine delivery system, many lotions, especially hand lotions and body lotions and lotion for allergies are meant instead to simply smooth, moisturize, soften and sometimes, perfume the skin.

Medicine delivery

Calamine lotion is used to treat itching.

Dermatologists can prescribe lotions to treat or prevent skin diseases. It is not unusual for the same drug ingredient to be formulated into a lotion, cream and ointment. Creams are the most convenient of the three but inappropriate for application to regions of hairy skin such as the scalp, while a lotion is less viscous and may be readily applied to these areas (many medicated shampoos are in fact lotions). Historically, lotions also had an advantage in that they may be spread thinly compared to a cream or ointment and may economically cover a large area of skin, but product research has steadily eroded this distinction. Non-comedogenic lotions are recommended to put on acne prone skin.

Lotions can be used for the delivery to the skin of medications such as:

* Antibiotics
* Antiseptics
* Antifungals
* Corticosteroids
* Anti-acne agents
* Soothing, smoothing, moisturizing or protective agents (such as calamine)
* Anti Allergens

Occupational use

Since health care workers must wash their hands frequently to prevent disease transmission, hospital-grade lotion is recommended to prevent skin dermatitis caused by frequent exposure to cleaning agents in the soap. A 2006 study found that application of hospital-grade lotion after hand washing significantly reduced skin roughness and dryness.

Care must be taken not to use consumer lotions in a hospital environment, as the perfumes and allergens may be a danger to those who are immunodeficient or with allergies.

Cosmetic uses

Most cosmetic lotions are moisturizing lotions, although other forms, such as tanning lotion, also exist.

Cosmetic lotions, including products marketed for anti-aging, often contain fragrances or other ingredients intended to modify the appearance or feel of the skin. The Food and Drug Administration voiced concern about lotions not classified as drugs that advertise anti-aging or anti-wrinkle properties.

Production

Most commercial lotions are oil-in-water emulsions — where oil droplets are dispersed in water — stabilized by emulsifiers such as cetearyl alcohol. Water-in-oil lotions, in which water droplets are dispersed in oil, are also produced and have different sensory and absorption properties. The key components of a skin care lotion, cream or gel emulsion (that is mixtures of oil and water) are the aqueous and oily phases, an emulsifier to prevent separation of these two phases, and, if used, the drug substance or substances. Various other ingredients such as fragrances, glycerol, petroleum jelly, dyes, preservatives, proteins and stabilizing agents are commonly added to lotions.

Manufacturing lotions and creams can be completed in two cycles:

* Emollients and lubricants are dispersed in oil with blending and thickening agents.
* Perfume, color and preservatives are dispersed in the water cycle. Active ingredients are broken up in both cycles depending on the raw materials involved and the desired properties of the lotion or cream.

A typical oil-in-water manufacturing process may be:

Step 1: Add flake/powder ingredients to the oil being used to prepare the oil phase.
Step 2: Disperse active ingredients.
Step 3: Prepare the water phase containing emulsifiers and stabilizers.
Step 4: Mix the oil and water to form an emulsion. (Note: This is aided by heating to between 110 and 185 F (45-85 C) depending on the formulation and viscosity desired.)
Step 5: Continue mixing until the end product is 'completed'

Potential health risks

Lotions are generally considered safe for typical cosmetic or therapeutic use, but certain formulations or usage patterns can be associated with adverse effects, including irritation, increased absorption of active ingredients, or allergic reactions.

Acne

Depending on their composition, lotions can be comedogenic, meaning that they can result in the increased formation of comedones (clogged hair follicles). People who are prone to acne or forming comedones often prefer lotions that are designed to be non-comedogenic (not causing outbreaks).

Systemic absorption

All topical products, including lotions, can result in the percutaneous (through the skin) absorption of their ingredients. Though this has some use as a route of drug administration, it more commonly results in unintended side effects. For example, medicated lotions such as diprolene are often used with the intention of exerting only local effects, but absorption of the drug through the skin can occur to a small degree, resulting in systemic side effects such as hyperglycemia and glycosuria.

Absorption through the skin is increased when lotions are applied and then covered with an occlusive layer, when they are applied to large areas of the body, or when they are applied to damaged or broken skin.

Allergens

Lotions containing some aromas or food additives may trigger an immune reaction or even cause users to develop new allergies.

There is currently no regulation over use of the term "hypoallergenic", and even pediatric skin products with the label were found to still contain allergens. Those with eczema are especially vulnerable to an allergic reaction with lotion, as their compromised skin barrier allows preservatives to bind with and activate immune cells.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology released a warning in 2014 that natural lotion containing ingredients commonly found in food (such as goats milk, cow's milk, coconut milk, or oil) may introduce new allergies, and an allergic reaction when those foods are later consumed. A 2021 study found that "frequent skin moisturization in early life might promote the development of food allergy, most likely through transcutaneous sensitization".

Additional Information

Body lotion benefits lie in skin health and vitality. Here are seven compelling reasons why incorporating body lotion into your daily skincare routine is essential:

Hydrates and Nourishes the Skin

Just like the face, the body loses moisture throughout the day due to various external factors. Body lotions are formulated to support the skin barrier and prevent moisture evaporation, keeping the skin hydrated, soft, and smooth. Look for formulas like our NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion, which provides fast-absorbing moisture, ideal for the summer months.

Keeps the skin healthy

Body lotions with nourishing ingredients help repair the skin's natural defense system and provide a protective shield against environmental pollutants, harsh weather conditions, and UV rays. Antioxidants and vitamins present in many lotions shield the skin from damage, preventing premature aging and discoloration.

Soften your skin & Soothers rough patches

Regular application of body lotion can help soften and soothe dry, rough skin, as well as alleviate minor skin irritations like rashes. Ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, and almond oil have soothing properties that calm inflammation and redness.

Takes care of Calluses

Body lotion's emollient properties make it effective in softening calluses and moisturizing dry areas like elbows, knees, and feet. Look for rich formulations like the NIVEA Rich Body Milk which is a 5 in 1 complete care nourishment, which provides deep moisture and dry-out protection for rough, dry skin.

Helps minimize aging signs

Body lotion delivers essential nutrients that promote collagen and elastin production, key proteins for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. By keeping the skin hydrated, body lotion helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, promoting a youthful complexion.

Makes your skin glow

Regular use of body lotion improves skin tone, restores its natural radiance, and enhances overall complexion, leaving you with glowing, healthy-looking skin.

Makes to feel and smell good

A luxurious body lotion with a pleasant fragrance not only makes your skin feel good but also uplifts your mood. Look for indulgent formulas like our NIVEA Smooth Body Milk, enriched with shea butter for soft, smooth skin and a delightful scent.

How to use body lotion

To reap the maximum benefits of body lotion, follow these simple steps:

* Take an adequate amount of body lotion into your palm.
* Rub your palms together to warm up the lotion.
* Apply the lotion to your body using circular motions, focusing on dry areas like elbows and knees.
* Massage the lotion until it is fully absorbed into the skin.

---

It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.