Lotions

Lotion, cream or ointment?

Lotions contain the most water, so they feel light and spread easily, which makes them ideal for humid weather and hairy skin. Creams are thicker and better for dry skin. Ointments, such as petroleum jelly, contain little or no water and seal in moisture best, making them useful for very dry, cracked areas like heels and hands.

Ingredients to look for

• Ceramide lotion: ceramides help repair the skin barrier, especially in eczema-prone skin.
• Glycerin and hyaluronic acid: draw water into the skin.
• Urea lotion and lactic acid: soften rough, scaly skin and bumpy skin on the arms (keratosis pilaris). They can sting broken skin.
• Petrolatum, shea butter and dimethicone: lock moisture in.

Lotion for sensitive skin

Choose fragrance-free products with a short ingredient list, and avoid added essential oils and dyes. Test a new lotion on a small area of the inner arm for a few days before using it all over, particularly for children.

Getting the most from a moisturizer for dry skin

• Apply within three minutes of bathing, while skin is still slightly damp.
• Take shorter, lukewarm baths instead of hot ones, and use a mild soap-free cleanser.
• Reapply to hands after washing.

See a doctor if dry skin is very itchy, cracked and bleeding, or does not improve with regular moisturising, as it may be eczema, psoriasis or a fungal infection that needs treatment.

Lotion through the seasons

In the humid summer and monsoon, a light, non-greasy body lotion or gel absorbs quickly and won't feel sticky. In the cooler, drier winter, switch to a cream and add a richer product for heels, elbows and hands. Older adults often have drier skin all year and benefit from moisturising daily.

For babies and young children, use a fragrance-free baby lotion or plain emollient, and apply it gently after the bath. Avoid mustard oil massages on babies with eczema or very dry skin, as they can irritate the skin barrier.