Why You Should Not Use Body Lotion on Your Face—Use This Instead

I was scrolling through Twitter (X) the other day when I came across this tweet by popular tech influencer Chioma Nwokwu. She lamented the price of skin care products and said something very interesting about “body creams.”

This got me thinking—what’s so wrong about using body lotion on your face? I consulted Ozana Ibru, lead aesthetician and beauty consultant at Skin&Beyond. Here’s why slathering body lotion on your face might be doing more harm than good, and how choosing the right facial moisturizer can make all the difference.

Why Facial Skin Is Different from Body Skin

The skin on our face is naturally thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of our body. “The epidermis of facial skin is thinner and more delicate compared to the rest of the body. This makes it more susceptible to irritation, redness, and breakouts when exposed to heavier products designed for body use,” explains Ibru.

Body lotions are generally formulated to tackle general dryness and are thicker and often more fragrant than products meant for the face.

She also emphasized the importance of skincare products bearing different results for different people after usage.

“Your facial skin has different needs,” Ibru points out. “The formulas for body lotions and facial creams aren’t interchangeable, and using the wrong one can lead to issues down the line.”
Ingredient Differences Between Body Lotions and Face Moisturizers

Body lotions are designed for basic hydration. They tend to include ingredients like mineral oils, silicones, and heavier emollients that lock in moisture but aren’t targeted for specific skin issues. Ibru also explained that facial moisturizers are made with a more complex set of ingredients to address concerns like acne, aging, and hyperpigmentation.

Active ingredients like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, or peptides—“are usually absent in body lotions, which focus more on general hydration and moisture content,” she shares.

Body lotions also tend to have certain fragrances, such as citrus, or certain additives that can irritate sensitive facial skin. “Facial products are typically fragrance-free or use milder scents to minimize irritation risks.”

Interestingly, these ingredients are also subject to regional regulations. In the United States, creams and lotions containing up to 3% salicylic acid are classified as drugs, but it’s not the case in Europe. Willow bark extract, chemically similar to salicylic acid, is permitted by Nigeria’s NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control), as salicylic acid is prohibited due to potential side effects and other health concerns.