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Which is better, lotion or cream after shower?
Of course, you should be moisturizing, especially after a shower, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should be using an ointment or cream instead.
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Some people may not see a big difference between creams and lotions. (Shutterstock/File)
F
or those with perpetually dry and itchy skin, lathering lotion on might seem like an easy solution. But as it turns out, that might actually be worse for your skin.
Of course, you should be moisturizing, especially after a shower, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should be using an ointment or cream instead.
Some people may not see a big difference between creams and lotions. But Dr. Kenneth Mark, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs skin cancer surgeon, told InStyle that ointments were the best for dry skin, as “they have the greatest emollient effect” which soothes the skin and boosts moisture levels.
"They also can create a barrier between the skin and the environment to help seal moisture into the skin,” he added.
Read also: Five things to notice when purchasing sunscreen
Still, if ointments don’t work for you, try creams instead.
Mark explained, "Creams are water soluble and more hydrating than a lotion, but less so than an ointment."
Finally, according to both the AAD and the National Eczema Society, lotion is more likely to irritate your skin than soothe it, so toss it out and stick to creams and ointments. (sul/kes)
