Hey there, winter! We see you peeping at us from round the corner, and we know you’re bringing along skin concerns that scare us. Everything from basic dryness to winter itch, dry acne, chapped lips that bleed, and cold windburns are all a part of our seasonal nightmare!
So, what basics do you need to give you the nourishment your skin requires in winters? Should you stick to the cold creams that have been a fixture on our parents’ dressers for decades? Or will the new tubs of delicious smelling body butters and yoghurts are what your skin needs? Do your lotions need to come with SPF? Read on for a breakdown of how each of these products are different, how they work, and for what kind of skin they are best suited for. Listed below, all kinds of body moisturisers: categorised by consistency and skin type.
Body Butters
Formulation and consistency: Rich and creamy, these tubs of deep nourishment are everything you need to hydrate parched skin. While your grandmother may have used to use fresh malai to fix dry skin during winters, we’re moving to even more effective oils and butters like shea, cocoa and almond. Unlike lotions, which are lighter, they create a creamy barrier on your skin that locks in hydration.
Best suited for: With their heavier base, body butters are best for parched and dry skin. If your skin gets flaky and itchy in winters, slather a dollop of body butter right after your morning showers to keep your skin happy. Products with a combination of coconut or jojoba oils and shea or almond or cocoa butters are your best bet for intense hydration.
Nykaa recommends: Nykaa Wanderlust Body Butter, MCaffeine Naked & Rich Choco Body Butter, The Body Shop Shea Body Butter
Body Creams
Formulation and consistency: Somewhere in the middle of body butters and lotions, creams feature an emulsion of oils and water. They are good for softening the skin and ease winter itches, but they don’t always hydrate the skin from within. They are good for everyday moisturising for dry skin.
Best suited for: Body creams are a must-have for every woman with dry or normal skin types. Creams can help instantly nourish your skin and make them plump and supple.
Nykaa recommends: Vaseline Deep Restore Moisturizing Cream, NIVEA Soft Light Moisturizer for Face, Hand & Body, Non-Sticky Cream, Cetaphil Moisturising Cream
Body Yoghurts
Formulation and consistency: Similar to the yoghurt in your refrigerator, this formulation is rich yet light. Yoghurts are highly absorbent and quickly seep into your skin. They are lightweight and are effective for a lot longer (up to 48 hours) than body butters, lotions and creams. With a perfectly whipped texture, body yoghurts leave behind zero greasy residue and are perfect for a quick nourishing session for your skin.
Best suited for: Yoghurts are mostly glycerin- and gel-based formulas that are great for combination skin types, and normal to oily skin types. They’re best applied when your skin is damp and absorbs quickly, making it a go-to product for women who need quick hydration that will stay for a long time.
Nykaa recommends: Plum Bodylovin' Vanilla Vibes Body Yogurt, Mamaearth Coco Body Yogurt, Earth Rhythm Mango Papaya Body Yogurt
Body Lotions
Formulation and consistency: One of the classic formulations most of us are familiar with, body lotions contain more water and less oil. Different lotions can suit different skin types based on the ingredients and consistency. While great for instantly moisturising your skin, lotions don’t repair dry skin, unlike body butters or yoghurts. The best part about lotions, though, is that many products on the market now come with SPF added to the blend.
Best suited for: Lightweight and quick to nourish your skin, lotions can suit a range of skin types. Read the label once before you decide your pick—most will indicate which skin type it suits best.
Nykaa recommends: Love Beauty & Planet Natural Argan Oil & Lavender Soothe Body Lotion, Biotique Bio Sandalwood Ultra Soothing Face Lotion 50+ SPF Sunscreen, Bath & Body Works Rose Super Smooth Body Lotion
Body Milks
Formulation and consistency: Probably the lightest of all moisturisers, body milks are the most fluid, and, as their name suggests, have a milk-like texture. They are better than lotions at absorbing into your skin and keep your skin hydrated for longer. As the water base in these moisturisers is very high, they are perfect if you like to keep hydrating your skin without any worry of oily or greasy appearance.
Best suited for: Body milks are a good choice for women with combination-to-oily skin. The formulation is lightweight and more water-based than oil or cream-based, making it perfect for sensitive skin types as well.
Nykaa recommends: Nykaa Wanderlust Body Milk, The Body Shop Moringa Softening Body Milk, L'Occitane Terre De Lumiere Beautifying Body Milk
