We'll jump straight to the answer—no, gel moisturizer isn't better than cream. As with any skin care product, it all comes down to your skin type, preferences, and the concern you're looking to tackle. Technically, cream and hydrating gel are the same thing, as they're both moisturizers—just different types.
A gel moisturizer is water based and usually free of oils, which can be especially beneficial for those with oily skin (more on that later), according to Northwestern Medicine. Some formulations include oil, though in lower quantities than you'd find in traditional moisturizers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A gel is transparent, and a cream is not. Gels are mostly colourless and disappear when applied. Despite having a colour base, creams are also not visible once applied, although gels are absorbed faster. Gels are usually oil free.
Gels generally contain even more water content than lotions and are usually oil-free, making them a good moisturizing choice for oily skin types. Gels also tend to have a thinner consistency than lotions, so they generally do not leave a film or greasy feeling on the skin.
As you might have already guessed from their textures, gel moisturizer is water-based and cream moisturizer is an oil-based moisturizer. You need to choose your base wisely according to your skin type. Gel moisturizers have gained popularity more recently as an alternative to oil-based skincare products.
When the temperatures go up it's easier to wear something more light and refreshing than a cream. Use a gel moisturizer if you want to have dewy, fresh skin without any residue and also want a product that can withstand hot temperatures without turning your skin into an oily mess.
Both of the products help in replenishing the skin, lock in the moisture and provide necessary nutrients to keep the skin healthy and young. What is this? Summary: Moisturizer is used for restoring the moisture in the skin of the body whereas cream blocks and prevents the moisture loss.
Lotions certainly can carry vitamins and minerals, but ones that have a topical use; they're doing something on the surface on the skin, rather than penetrating it. Moisturizer, on the other hand, is a cream that's designed to bring moisture or vitamins or minerals into the skin, not just on top of it.
Perhaps the biggest difference between lotion and cream is that lotions have a higher water content. A lotion is typically a mix of water and droplets of oil, is lighter weight than cream, and is non-greasy.
Even though it's liquid like a toner, a lotion does not contain alcohol and generously hydrates your skin. It's a more gentle cleanser and can be soothing for sensitive skin. A tonique (or tonic) contains a small amount of alcohol, offers a deep cleanse, and includes humectants to lock in skin's moisture.
Gel lotion is any type of gelantinized preparation, made with specially formulated ingredients to be applied topically to the skin for various purposes. Unlike liquid lotions, a gel lotion tends to solidify and coagulate, and will not become runny.
Packed with hydrating ingredients
Since gel moisturisers are water-based and contain water retaining ingredients like hyaluronic acid, they can instantly hydrate your skin and make it look fresh. If your skin looks dehydrated and dull, we recommend adding a gel moisturiser to your skincare routine RN.
Back to oily skin. For most people, moisturiser is a key part of their skincare routine, and while it's easy to think you should use drying products, that's not always the case. Instead, look for lightweight, gel-textured products that are non-comedogenic so they don't further clog pores.
Oily and combination skin should always include gel/water-based moisturizer in their skincare routine. Because it is lightweight, non-greasy, oil-free and provides required hydration.
The main difference between gel and cream moisturizer is their texture; a gel moisturizer lighter and more watery than a cream moisturizer. More importantly, gel moisturizers are suitable for oily skin, while cream moisturizers are suitable for dry skin.
In fact, most product lines carry two or more forms of a moisturizer, such as one cream form and one lotion form, to satisfy every skin type (more on that below). So, a lotion can actually be a moisturizer.
The bottom line. Putting body lotion on your face once or twice probably won't cause any lasting harm. All the same, body lotion isn't meant for facial skin, so it could make some skin concerns worse. Sticking to products specifically formulated for your face will generally do more to benefit your skin in the long run.
Be honest: Will using body moisturizer on my face cause problems? If you're in a pinch and you don't have a better option, you certainly can use body lotion on your face — but neither King nor Lipner recommends it, especially if you have oily skin or are prone to acne.
This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (such as diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). Emollients are substances that soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking.
To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to: Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids.
“Hydration” is the absorption of moisture from the air and then infusing your cells with water to improve your skin's ability to absorb moisture and nutrients. “Moisturizing” is about trapping and locking in the moisture to build your skin's natural protective barrier.
If you don't, you should. Both men and women can find many benefits to using high quality facial moisturizer each day. Moisturizing your face will help you to look and feel younger, you will have softer, more elastic skin, and it will keep your skin hydrated.
You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
Goldman and Dachnowicz called Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream the “best overall moisturizer for dry skin.” The cream, which can be used on your whole body, is formulated with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, petrolatum and vitamins B3 and B5.