How much lotion should you use on your body?

How much body lotion should you use?

Judge the amount by coverage: the areas you are treating should have a thin sheen. Use enough to leave that layer rather than a thick coating, because moisturising is not cake decoration. For dry skin conditions, emollient is the medical word for moisturiser, and treatment can involve much larger weekly quantities than occasional body care.13

For emollient treatment over the whole body, a general guide is approximately 600 g each week for an adult and 250 to 500 g each week for a child. These are weekly treatment amounts, not quantities for one application. Ask the clinician managing the skin condition how much to use and how long a container should last.14

How should you apply body lotion?

1. 1Wash your hands before applying moisturiser.
2. 2After a bath or shower, gently pat your skin with a towel. Apply moisturiser immediately while the skin is still damp.
3. 3Dispense the moisturiser onto clean hands. For a tub, use a clean spoon or spatula instead of putting your fingers inside.
4. 4Smooth enough over each area to leave a thin, shiny layer. Follow the direction of hair growth, such as from the knee towards the ankle, rather than rubbing vigorously.
5. 5Leave the thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes.

Moisturisers help lock in water, which is why applying them to damp skin is useful. Keep baths and showers warm rather than hot, and limit them to 5 to 10 minutes: long, hot washing can contribute to dryness before the lotion even goes on.6

How often should you moisturise?

For dry skin, moisturise 2 to 3 times a day, or as often as needed. Very dry skin can need emollient 2 to 4 times daily, or the frequency prescribed by a doctor. Reapply after washing and whenever dryness returns, rather than treating one morning application as the entire day's allowance.67

If you are managing a dry skin condition, keep using emollients daily even when the condition is not causing problems. Treatment can include the whole body, not just visibly dry patches. Skin can feel softer and less rough as soon as treatment starts, but moisturiser does not cure the underlying condition.4

Should you use more lotion or a thicker moisturiser?

Lotion is an option for less dry skin and spreads easily over hairy areas. For very dry skin, creams and ointments moisturise more effectively than lotions. If lotion is not relieving the dryness, consider a cream or ointment rather than promoting the same bottle to a bigger job. A lighter product can suit daytime use, with a greasier ointment at night.2457

For dry or sensitive skin, choose a fragrance free moisturiser. An unscented label is different: the product can contain ingredients that hide other smells and irritate sensitive skin.5

When should you stop or get advice?

Stop using a moisturiser that makes your skin itchy, sore or irritated, and ask a pharmacist about an alternative. Tell a dermatologist about burning or stinging. Contact a doctor if dryness does not improve, itching disrupts sleep, or scratching has caused open cuts or sores.567

If you use a prescribed steroid cream, leave 30 minutes between it and your emollient; ask your clinician which goes first. For ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, check the emollient instructions with your treatment team.123

Keep emollients and fabrics carrying their residue away from flames and cigarettes, including when the product contains no paraffin. Emollients can also make baths, showers and tiled floors slippery.2