What Type of Skincare Should You Use?

Although lotions and creams are the most prevalent forms of skincare products, there are many other less ubiquitous formulations such as solutions, suspensions, gels, oils, ointments, balms, and even powders.

Lotions and Creams

Lotions and creams are emulsions formed by dispersion of an oil phase into an aqueous phase or an aqueous phase into an oil phase. The emulsion is then called an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion, respectively. Generally speaking, most lotions are oil-in-water because they are more pleasant to the touch and do not leave a greasy residue. Because of the immiscibility of the two phases, oil droplets are dispersed and stabilized within the continuous aqueous phase with the aid of an emulsifier, which can also act as a surfactant as in, for example, lecithin and Cetearyl alcohol. Sometimes a thickener, such as gum or starch, is also used to bring more stability to the emulsion by increasing the viscosity of the continuous phase and reducing the risk of separation of the two phases.

Lotions, which are thinner than creams, are usually reserved for body formulations since they are easier to spread.

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