When we were testing lotions, we considered all sorts of factors—and they’re the same ones you should think about when buying a lotion. Of course things like size, price, and availability come into play, but these are the most important things to consider.
Ingredients: The ingredients in a lotion are really the deciding factor in how good it is and what it’s going to do for you. Lotions are moisturizers, like the kind you put on your face, so they have to have moisturizing ingredients. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, coconut oil, and other plant butters and oils since these are all things that not only help impart moisture into your skin but also keep it there. Many newfangled lotions will also contain similar ingredients to your face products that are meant to help strengthen and improve the quality of your skin. These could be things like ceramides, niacinamide, antioxidants, and peptides which will help the lotion target certain issues like aging, dark spots, firmness, brightness, and more. Think of them as bonuses—not necessary for a lotion to work, but great to have in the formula.
Scent: Scent may not be integral to the functionality of a lotion, but it sure does make the experience better. Truthfully, many of us want fragrance in our lotion (for some, it’s even the reason they put it on), so choosing a lotion with a scent you like can be important—and personal. We’re not going to tell you what scents are best (we have our own opinions), but will advise that you smell a lotion before you buy it to make sure you like the fragrance. One disclaimer: if you have very sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a lotion with little or no scent since it can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. If you think that might be you, look for lotions that are unscented or fragrance free.
Skin Type: Just like the products you put on your face, you should look for a lotion that is designed for your skin type. Keep in mind that the skin on your body might be a different type than the skin on your face, meaning it may have different issues. For instance, you may have acne-prone skin on your face, but the skin on your body may be prone to dryness. Some lotions are suitable for all skin types, while others are designed with ingredients to target certain issues like dark spots, aging, firmness, breakouts, and more.
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