In general, the guidelines for applying body lotion are pretty simple. “I recommend applying body lotion daily,” Wesley says. “If recently showered, the best time to apply is within three to five minutes after a bath or shower to help trap moisture in and restore the skin barrier that may have been disrupted by soap or cleansers.”
Whilst it seems straightforward, there are some mistakes you can make with body lotion. Wesley outlines these three:
1. Not applying enough: Don’t be stingy with the stuff. Of course, you don’t need to empty the whole bottle onto your body but be generous with how much you apply.
2. Not applying it all over: Make sure you’re moisturising every inch of your body; don’t just apply lotion on your upper body and forget about your legs.
3. Applying a lotion that isn’t moisturising enough: This might depend on your skin type or needs. Overall, you’ll want to choose a product that contains the nutrients, vitamins and ingredients that will keep your skin hydrated for a while. “I prefer to use body lotions that contain natural and fewer unnecessary ingredients,” Wesley says. “I find that a creamier texture or one that is a lotion mixed with oil often has longer-lasting moisturising effects than a thinner, more watery lotion that just tends to evaporate off the skin’s surface. Ingredients such as shea butter, cold-pressed oils, borage seed oil, and/or fatty acids such as ceramides tend to have great barrier-protecting properties.”