Body lotion for women: how to choose and use it

Should you buy lotion, cream or ointment?

A lotion's easy spreading comes with less moisturizing power, so a convenient bottle is not always the answer to persistent dryness. Ointments should not be used on weeping eczema, where fluid seeps from damaged skin.34

What should you look for on the label?

Look for ceramides, which are fats that help hydrate skin, or hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing ingredient. For dry skin, choose fragrance free products and avoid formulas containing alcohol or alpha hydroxy acid. Sensitive skin also needs care with plant ingredients: a natural or organic label does not mean a product is less likely to cause an allergy.1

Unscented is not the same as fragrance free: an unscented product can contain a chemical that masks the smell of other ingredients. Look for the words "fragrance free" on the package. A missing smell is not the same as a missing fragrance, despite the label's talent for making those sound identical.5

How do you apply body moisturizer?

1. 1Take a warm shower or bath lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Use a gentle cleanser rather than harsh soap, and avoid scrubbing.
2. 2Pat your skin gently with a towel, leaving it slightly damp. Moisturizer works best when it can lock in that water.
3. 3Use clean hands. If the moisturizer comes in a tub, take it out with a clean spoon rather than putting your fingers inside.
4. 4Smooth the moisturizer gently over your skin in the direction of hair growth. Do not vigorously rub it in.
5. 5Leave a thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes. Leave on moisturizers stay on your skin; you do not rinse them off.

How often should you use it?

Use body moisturizer every day. For dry skin, apply it 2 to 3 times daily or whenever needed. A routine for a dry skin condition can require 3 or 4 applications daily. Apply after washing, and reapply when your skin feels dry or tight; bedtime is a useful opportunity for a greasier ointment. Cold weather can increase how often you need it.2346

Moisturizers trap water in the skin and help relieve dryness and itching. The aim is softer, more comfortable skin, not a promise to reverse aging. Many products marketed as antiaging cosmetics do not need human testing or FDA approval before sale, so the word "antiaging" is not a test result with better typography.46

What is the best body lotion for women?

The best choice is a moisturizer suited to your dryness that you are comfortable applying regularly. For otherwise normal skin with seasonal dryness, lotion can be sufficient. For persistently dry skin, start with cream or ointment instead. If you are prone to blocked pores, look for "noncomedogenic," meaning formulated not to block pores. That label cannot promise freedom from breakouts.13

What body lotion is suitable for women over 50?

A cream is a better starting point than a thin lotion from age 50, including during perimenopause, the transition toward menopause. Skin holds less moisture with age, and hormonal changes around menopause can make it thinner and drier. If your usual lotion no longer handles dryness, move to a richer texture rather than applying the same thin product indefinitely.16

What body lotion is suitable for women over 60?

Choose a creamy, fragrance free moisturizer formulated for dry skin. Apply within 3 minutes of bathing and again throughout the day as needed. Skin in your 60s can lose water more easily, so pairing moisturizer with short, warm showers matters. If skin feels very dry, an ointment holds water better than cream.5

What body lotion is suitable for women over 70?

The same cream or ointment approach applies in your 70s. Pay attention to rough, itchy patches on the lower legs, elbows and lower arms. Avoid bath oils because they make the tub slippery and increase fall risk. If someone helps you bathe, they should use mild soap and moisturizer, dry between skin folds, and check for rashes.56

Can you use moisturizer with prescription skin treatments?

Keep moisturizer and a prescribed steroid cream about 30 minutes apart, and ask your doctor which to apply first. This prevents diluting the treatment or spreading it onto skin that does not need it. If you receive ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, ask your treatment team for specific moisturizer instructions.34

When should you stop or get help?

Stop using a moisturizer that makes your skin itchy or sore. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about persistent burning, stinging, or inflamed hair follicles. Keep emollients away from flames and cigarettes: clothing and bedding carrying moisturizer residue can catch fire, including with paraffin free formulas. Washing does not completely remove that residue.34

Contact a clinician if dryness and itching do not improve with home care, interrupt sleep, or cause open cuts from scratching. Itching without a visible rash also needs assessment. Do not assume every new skin change needs more lotion: a new growth, a sore that does not heal, or a bleeding mole should be checked.26