Word game, or what is called face lotion

Why don’t they call them! Remember “grandmother’s” facial lotion, which cleansed the skin “to a squeak” and smelled so that it was clear from a mile away what the hostess used today? And the viscous make-up remover, more like milk? They are absolutely nothing like your favorite tonic lotion! Well, let’s try to put everything on the shelves.

Facial lotion features

Perhaps the main feature of the face lotion is that in the beauty space they call completely different products. And sometimes on the shelf in the bathroom we see literally “lotion on lotion”, because that’s what they call it:

  • firstly, a tonic (or its analogue), which is applied after washing; aftershave lotion for men can probably be attributed to the same category;

  • secondly, a make-up remover;

  • thirdly, moisturizing or sunscreen care with a soft texture resembling milk.

These products coexist perfectly with each other: they removed makeup with one cosmetic lotion, washed, then wiped their face with another lotion (read tonic) and moisturized the skin with the third gentle cream-lotion for the face …

Lotion in cosmetic space is called completely different products.

Our experience shows that most often in facial skin care lotion is called an analogue of tonic. It’s exactly the same:

  • removes residual contaminants;

  • tones the skin;

  • normalizes its pH balance – after washing, it changes due to hard tap water, and thanks to lotion or tonic it recovers faster;

  • depending on the active ingredients in the composition, it can moisturize, soothe the skin, promote its even tone, narrow pores, fight wrinkles, have an antibacterial effect (for example, products with alcohol, salicylic acid, chamomile, aloe and calendula extracts have antiseptic properties);

  • prepares the skin for further care – nutrition and hydration.

However, the Garnier brand expert Marina Kamanina believes that the lotion is a more general purpose product: “It can clean the face of makeup and impurities, or it can simply refresh it, depending on the concentration of surfactants in the composition. There are almost no active cleansing components in the tonic. He only completes the stage of cleansing the face, which took place with the help of a gel or foam cleanser.

There are no significant features of the lotion as a make-up remover. It can be quite liquid texture like micellar water, and thicker like milk. And a feature of facial skin care lotions, which are designed to moisturize and protect the skin (that is, they function as creams), can be considered their light, comfortable, more fluid texture than creams.

Advantages and disadvantages

So, the advantages of face lotions, even if we combine all the products that are called this word:

  • light, weightless texture;

  • instant distribution on the skin;

  • fast absorption;

  • moisturizing effect (to one degree or another);

  • lack of feeling of a greasy film;

  • feeling of freshness after use;

  • comfort during and after use.

The only drawback, perhaps, can be considered only confusion with the name.

All lotions are united by a light consistency and fast absorption.

Types of face lotions

In the cosmetics department, eyes run wide – there are so many lotions now, and in different categories of products! Read the label carefully and choose the right product.

Cleaning

The most common representative of the “lotion” family. The composition of the cleansing lotion for the face, in addition to water and surfactants, may include plant extracts and often alcohol. And although the latter is now much persecuted (say, it dries and spoils the skin), in products for oily and problem skin, a small amount of alcohol is quite acceptable and even useful.

Cleansing and mattifying lotion for narrowing pores Effaclar, La Roche-Posay

As the name implies, it cleanses and tightens pores – a great solution for dense oily skin. Lipohydroxy- and salicylic acids act as “workhorses” here, which gently exfoliate dead skin cells. A nice bonus – the lotion evens and mattifies the skin.

Makeup remover

These lotions are also cleansing, but they deserve to be put in a separate category. Yes, they can, like all their brothers, moisturize and tone, but their main purpose is to remove makeup.

Cleansing eye make-up remover “Basic care” with grape extract for normal to combination skin, Garnier

Soft, gentle, it perfectly removes even waterproof makeup and leaves behind a feeling of comfort. And thanks to grape extract, it has a moisturizing and refreshing effect, does not irritate or dry the delicate skin around the eyes.

Moisturizing

Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, sorbitol, vegetable oils and extracts – the active components of the moisturizing facial lotion – saturate the skin with moisture, soften, smooth, make it “come to life”. In addition to moisturizing, such lotions cope with cleansing with a bang, and in some cases they also struggle with problems (imperfections, pimples, increased fat content). Sometimes they have a watery texture and function as tonics, and sometimes these lotions resemble milk in consistency and are used instead of a moisturizer.

Moisturizing lotion for dry and very dry skin of the face and body, Cerave

Any skin will be happy with such a light and delicate texture: moisturizing, this lotion does not make it greasy and does not clog pores. Which, in general, is quite understandable, because skin-related components — ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid — are responsible for moisturizing in this product.

Pure Shots Hydra Bounce Moisturizing Lotion, YSL Beauty

This lotion is designed specifically for residents of the metropolis, it contains components for intensive skin hydration and protects it from negative external influences, provides comfort for the whole day. The active ingredients are vitamins E and B3 (niacinamide), as well as orange flower glycosides. It is applied before the cream (although in the hot season it is quite capable of replacing it).

Calming

What is a soothing face lotion? A real find for tired, irritated, reactive skin that turns red, flaky, covered with pimples and spots even from ordinary tap water. The composition of such funds often include panthenol, allantoin and ceramides. It is especially important to soothe the skin after washing.

Absolue Rose 80 Revitalizing Moisturizing Lotion, Lancôme

This tool has a lot of advantages. It refreshes and moisturizes without the effect of oiliness. Also, it soothes and regenerates. The skin becomes soft, tender, elastic, silky, the complexion improves. The effect is especially noticeable after 4 weeks of continuous use.

Lotion-peeling

Usually, with the word “peeling”, we imagine a scrub, paste or gel with small abrasive particles, enzymes and acids. But now there are creams and peeling lotions – as a rule, these are night products with a powerful renewing effect. “They are easily integrated into the care regimen, do not require unnecessary gestures (applied, went to bed), says medical expert Vichy Ekaterina Turubara. “And due to the fact that the concentration of keratolytics is not so high, they are comfortably tolerated even by sensitive skin.”

Lotion-peeling for face and neck Re-Plasty Light Peel, Helena Rubinstein

Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive. Shake the bottle before use to mix two phases – exfoliating (enriched with glycolic and salicylic acid) and emollient (with two nourishing oils). An insanely useful tool for those who want to quickly get a wow effect – renewed and transformed skin.

For/after shaving

Some girls use this male product during depilation. Shave/After Shave Lotion is a truly multi-functional product. It soothes the skin, relieves irritation caused by shaving, gives freshness, moisturizes and helps to restore the skin after shaving, because for her this is a real shock.

Aftershave lotion “Hydra sensitive” for sensitive skin, L’Oréal Paris

Thanks to glycerin, mint leaf extract and panthenol, the product perfectly moisturizes, refreshes and soothes. It also prevents the almost inevitable feeling of tightness and discomfort after shaving. The formula of the lotion does not contain alcohol and is suitable even for sensitive skin.

Sunscreen

This tool is one of the varieties of light, weightless sunscreens. And its main function is not to cleanse and moisturize, like other lotions, but to protect the skin from sunlight, although moisturizing components, as a rule, are also present in them. Great helper for the summer!

Sun lotion for face and body SPF 30, Kiehl’s

In addition to powerful UV filters, the product contains glycerin and vitamin E, which help the skin stay soft and hydrated. Extremely soft and comfortable product is easy to apply, spreads quickly and is not felt at all on the skin.

How to choose a cosmetic lotion for facial skin care

Since we are dealing with a very versatile product, its choice should be considered carefully.

  1. First you need to decide on the function of the lotion – what it is for, what you want to get from it. Should it moisturize, soothe, exfoliate, prevent breakouts? Or maybe you are looking for a light sunscreen?

  2. Cleansing lotions do not need to be rinsed off (although there may be exceptions, read the manufacturer’s instructions). This is very convenient when traveling when there is no way to wash.

  3. Finally, pay attention to what type of skin the lotion is intended for. Choose the right one.

Moisturizing, cleansing, matting, soothing – lotions are very different!

For oily and combination

For such skin, cleansers are good that fight clogged pores and help remove excess sebum. As a rule, lotions for oily skin care are light, watery. But sometimes these are thick gel lotions with a peeling effect.

For dry

For such skin, lotion creams are created – thick, denser in consistency, similar to rustic cream. They not only perfectly moisturize the skin, but also nourish it, strengthen the protective barrier.

How to use face lotion

Since the most common lotions are analogues of tonics, and most often intended for oily and problematic skin, we provide step-by-step instructions for using such products.

  1. Cleanse your skin with gel, foam or micellar water.

  2. Pat your face dry with a towel.

  3. Cleanse your face with lotion by soaking a cotton pad.

  4. You can proceed to the subsequent care – applying serum and moisturizer (or … cream-lotion).

Moisturizing and soothing lotions can be used up to 2-3 times a day.

Summary results

Briefly about the main thing.

What is face lotion? 

Lotion for the face is sometimes called a variety of means. The most common option is a cosmetic product that is used at home for:

  • removal of contaminants;

  • skin toning;

  • normalization of its pH balance;

  • moisturizing, exfoliating, matting, skin repair, etc. depending on the active ingredients.

 

How is lotion different from tonic? 

Lotion can be called a variety of products – for cleansing, and toning the skin, and for moisturizing care, and for sun protection, and tonic is usually only an intermediate step between cleansing and care. It is believed that the lotion, even if it acts as a tonic, has a richer and more active composition.

What are lotions?

Speaking of their functions:

  • moisturizers;

  • cleansing;

  • matting;

  • soothing;

  • with an exfoliating effect (peeling lotions);

  • for the prevention of imperfections in oily and problem skin.

How to use the lotion correctly? 

If we are talking about the widest family of facial lotions that are used as tonics, then the scheme will be as follows.

  1. Wash with gel or foam.

  2. Pat your face dry with a towel.

  3. Apply lotion by saturating a cotton pad with it. Or spray the product if there is a spray bottle on the bottle.

  4. Move on to the next stage of care.

Since lotions are called very different cosmetic products, the surest way not to make a mistake in applying is to read the manufacturer’s instructions.

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