Body Oil vs. Body Lotion: What’s the Difference?

Both body oils and body lotions can make a valuable, moisturizing addition to any soulcare routine. When it comes to body oil vs. lotion, you might be unsure which your skin will like better. The answer depends on many factors, like your skin type, your preference in fragrance and textures, and which ingredients help your skin feel smooth and soft to the touch.

Luckily, we’ve got guides like this one to help you choose the right offerings for you. Weighing your options between body balm or lotion? We can help with that, too.

Let’s get into all things body care, from lotions to oils to creams.

BODY OIL VS. LOTION

Keeping skin hydrated — particularly in colder climates or as we age — can help us look and feel our best. As our Goddess-in-Chief Alicia Keys says: “Our bodies are sacred. Think about what our bodies do for us every day. Our bodies deserve our thanks and praise.”

What better way to praise your body than by gifting it with a tranquil shower ritual and self-care that helps you feel connected and “in” your body? The application of both body lotions and oils provide that perfect moment to praise and thank our bodies.

WHAT IS BODY LOTION?

Body lotions are topical products, often water based, intended to help nourish and hydrate skin. Many body lotions are enriched with different types of moisturizing ingredients, such as emollients and humectants.

Common emollients include ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and squalane. Body lotions also contain a higher concentration of water, whereas body oils are made of oils alone.

Keys Soulcare’s Sacred Body Lotion is formulated with chia seed oil and glycerin to help hydrate and nourish the skin, plus allantoin and shea butter. Subtly scented with the signature Keys Soulcare sage and oak milk scent — made famous by our best-selling Sage + Oak Milk Candle — this body lotion is both soothing to the senses and quick to absorb into the skin.

WHAT IS BODY OIL?

Body oils are skin care products with a high content of oils and esters designed to nourish the skin and lock in moisture. Commonly used carrier oils include ingredients like jojoba, marula, baobab, and sunflower seed oils, to name a few.

Body oil formulas are also often paired with antioxidants and vitamins (like Vitamins B or E, for example) and may be designed to address specific skin concerns in addition to hydration.

In our Sacred Body Oil, marula, baobab, and jojoba oils create a beautiful blend of antioxidants and essential fatty acids to enrich skin, hair, and nails.

Plus, body oils also tend to impart that fresh-faced glow.

SHOULD I USE BODY OIL OR LOTION FIRST?

With Sacred Lotion, our dermatologist-developed body lotion, we recommend applying the body lotion first. Allow your skin to quickly soak up its hydrating goodness as you recite its complementary affirmation: “My body is sacred.”

Then, if desired, apply a few drops of Sacred Body Oil onto areas that need extra love and hydration, like elbows, heels and knees.

BODY MOISTURIZERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. CAN YOU USE BODY LOTION ON YOUR FACE?

Generally, dermatologists don’t recommend using your favorite body lotion on your face. A lotion offering may contain additional ingredients or scents that the more delicate skin of the face may react to, especially if you have skin that is sensitive to fragrance or trying new products.

Instead, we recommend keeping a travel-sized facial moisturizer on hand, like Skin Transformation Cream with hydrating ingredients like ceramides plus hyaluronic acid. Or, reach for the soothing Comforting Skin Balm, which is a multipurpose face and body balm that’s packed with nourishing ingredients like camellia seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to deliver rich hydration to dry skin.

2. TIPS FOR IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT OFFERING FOR YOU

Consider these tips as you shop for a body lotion or oil:

Look carefully at the ingredients.

Peek at the ingredients on your favorite facial moisturizer. Do you see any familiar ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, glycerin, or chia seed oil? If your skin reacts happily to your favorite moisturizer, it’s possible that the same ingredients will make an excellent choice as part of a body oil or lotion.

Think about fragrance.

Do you like a lightly scented lotion, or no fragrance at all? This will be a huge consideration as you think about an everyday product like a body lotion or body oil.

3. HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR MOISTURIZER IS TOO HEAVY?

It all depends on your personal preference. Some prefer a heavier formula while others like a lightweight, non-greasy feeling. If you experience sudden redness or irritation after you start using a new lotion or body oil, it may not be the right formulation for you.

4. CAN YOU MIX BODY OIL WITH LOTION?

Yes, you can absolutely mix the two. You can start by placing a drop or two of your favorite body oil into your lotion.

Are you team Body Oil or Team Lotion? Tell us which hydrating hero you reach for most often in the comments.