Lotions are an everyday requirement for all of us. Whether you have dry skin, or oily and acne prone skin, or just normal skin- you simply cannot skip lotion from your daily routine.
Lotions moisturise our skin and keep it plump and glowing. It also fortifies the skin barrier and prevents wrinkles and lines from developing on the face.
However, due to the chemical formulations used while making lotions, some people avoid using it. Here are some of the best substitute for lotions that will provide you the same benefits:
Table of Contents
1. Aloe Vera
The tiny succulent shrub growing in your back garden, aloe vera is full of benefits itself. The translucent gel inside the plant consists of 99% water along with a wholesome combination of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and hormones.
Because of its nutrient composition, aloe vera can act as a very good moisturiser. It is especially useful for oily, acne-prone and inflamed skin. Not only does it hydrate the skin, but also soothe burns and inflammations.
The benefits of aloe vera that make it a good replacement for lotons is as follows:
- Aloe vera acts as a gel based moisturiser. This means that it does not leave a film on the skin and does not feel greasy. Due to its low comedogenicity, aloe vera does not clog the pores of the skin. Instead it hydrates the skin and makes it soft.
- Aloe vera contains vitamins C and E. Together they can fight oxidative stress and the damage it causes on the skin. It reduces hyperpigmentation and dullness of skin. Additionally, it can boost collagen synthesis.
- The presence of beta carotene in aloe vera makes it effective against signs of ageing. Beta-carotene in aloe vera translates to retinoic acid or vitamin A on the skin which can reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
- Using aloe vera as a moisturiser also has a soothing effect on the skin. It can soothe sunburns and calm the skin from any redness, itching or irritation.
2. Shea Butter
One of the most popular alternatives for lotion is shea butter. Extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, shea butter has a warm ivory colour.
Shea butter works best for dry or mature skin. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids and has the ability to nourish the skin deeply.
To use shea butter as a lotion, you can mix 1 tablespoon of shea butter with 3-4 drops of grapeseed oil and honey. The benefits of shea butter are as follows:
- Shea butter is a natural emollient. It forms a protective barrier on top of the skin that does not allow the moisture to evaporate from the upper layers.
- Shea butter is very useful for sensitive skin. For people with eczema and rosacea who cannot tolerate chemical-based lotions, shea butter acts as an excellent replacement without irritating the skin.
- Shea butter contains vitamins A and E which are soothing on the skin and makes it look youthful. Together they act as antioxidants and prevent ageing of skin.
3. Cocoa Butter
The cacao bean is not just used to make chocolate. Another useful product that comes from cacao beans is cocoa butter which is another substitute for lotion too.
Similar to shea butter, cocoa butter is infused with the goodness of vitamins and minerals. However, people with oily or acne-prone skin should steer clear of cocoa butter as it can congest the pores of the skin.
The benefits of cocoa butter as a lotion are as follows:
- Cocoa butter contains several essential and non essential fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acid. All these acids penetrate the skin and nourish it from inside.
- Cocoa butter is useful for sensitive skin and those who suffer from eczema and rosacea. It is anti-inflammatory, and will thus soothe your skin against any irritation.
- If you have stretch marks on your body, using cocoa butter instead of a regular lotion will help to reduce their appearance.
- Cocoa butter also contains loads of antioxidants that keep your skin plump and glowing.
4. Olive Oil
If you thought that olive oil is simply used for cooking, then you are mistaken. Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, olive oil is a splendid replacement for lotions.
Not only does olive oil moisturise the skin , but also heals scars. Additionally, it can also be used as a makeup remover.
Due to the combination of vitamins and fatty acids, olive oil confers numerous benefits to our skin. The reasons why it is a good replacement for lotion is as follows:
- Olive oil can moisturise the skin without clogging the pores. It is also rich in several fatty acids, such as omega-3 acids and polyphenols that moisturises the skin up to several layers. Due to its ability to mix with water, it does not appear very thick and sinks into the skin easily.
- Unlike other oils which get oxidised very fast and give rise to microcomedones like blackheads and whiteheads, olive oil has a lower oxidation rate. This protects the skin from potential irritation.
- Olive oil also contains vitamin K and squalane, both of which are ideal for hydrating the skin and providing an youthful glow.
- Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants which fight the external pollutants and keeps the skin barrier intact. It also has antimicrobial properties that prevents bacterial accumulation on the sebum and reduces acne.
5. Almond Oil
Extracted from the nuts of sweet almonds, this oil is also teeming with useful nutrients. Besides being used as a potential moisturiser, almond oil can also be used for nourishing the hair and removing the make up.
The major nutrients in almond oil include vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Although almond oil is suited to almost every skin type, people who are allergic to nuts should avoid using this oil.
The benefits of almond oil as a moisturiser are as follows:
- Almond oil is a light oil. It moisturises your skin deeply, but does not clog the pores. It is found especially useful for people with dry and cracked skin, as it helps to nourish them effectively.
- Almond oil contains vitamin A which is very useful for mature skin. It can reduce the lines and wrinkles on the face. Additionally, it encourages the formation of collagen that keeps the skin firm.
- The presence of vitamin E in almond oil gives it antioxidants properties.Thus, it can protect the skin from harmful UV rays of the sun as well as free radicals that cause the skin to become dull.
- Messaging almond oil over stretch marks is found to reduce their appearance. Besides this, almond oil improves the complexion of the skin and keeps it radiant.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another household staple with nourishing properties. It is extracted from the white fleshy part of coconut. Although coconut oil can be of many types, the cold pressed virgin coconut oil renders the maximum benefits.
Coconut oil works best for dry and dehydrated skin, as its moisture retaining abilities are far superior to any lotion. It contains fatty acids linoleic and lauric acid, both of which are necessary for healthy, glowing skin.
The major benefits that we can get from coconut oil are as follows:
- Coconut oil is a moisturiser and an emollient. This means that it can not only add moisture to the skin, but also form a protective layer on top of the skin so that the moisture does not escape.
- Coconut oil works well for dry, chapped lips and cracked heels, as its protective layer helps the skin to heal fast.
- People using coconut oil have firm skin for a longer time as coconut oil boosts collagen synthesis and cell turnover of the upper layer of skin.
- Coconut oil works well against hyperpigmentation too. Using it on patches of dark skin regularly is found to reduce their appearance considerably.
Conclusion
If you shy away from using chemical-based lotions, your skin still needs nourishment and moisturisation. Using these natural substitutes for lotions can help you achieve the same results without relying on synthetic formulations.