What is the difference between sun creams and sun lotions?

Sunny days are on their way! Enjoy some ice cream, laze on the beach, but most importantly: make sure that your skin enjoys the sun as much as you do. This means protecting the skin by reapplying sunscreen every two hours. However, the search for the best sunscreen often raises questions. Naturally, you prefer a sunscreen without microplastics and other nasties. You also want to make sure that the SPF offers enough protection. But wait, you’re not done yet: you’ll also have to choose between a sunscreen cream or a lotion. Can't see the forest for the trees anymore? Naïf to the rescue! Read on to find out the difference between sunscreen creams and sunscreen lotions.

Advantages of sunscreen creams

Sunscreen creams are probably the most commonly used type of sun protection. So common, in fact, that people often simply call these creams “sunscreen”. Yet there is a difference between a sunscreen cream and a sunscreen lotion. Want to quickly check if your sunscreen is a cream or a lotion? Check the ingredient list! If the first ingredient is water, then the sunscreen is a lotion or gel. Is the first ingredient something else? Then you are most likely holding a cream.

The key ingredient of a sunscreen cream is an oil. This is also the reason why creams are a bit thicker and richer than lotions. As the sun dries out your skin, the advantage of a cream is that it gives your skin some much needed nourishment.

Looking for a sunscreen for your face? The thicker texture of sunscreen creams makes this type of sunscreen especially suitable for people with normal to dry skin types. Our sunscreen with SPF30, for example, gives the skin an extra boost with its nourishing natural oils.

Advantages of sunscreen lotions

The main ingredient of sunscreen lotions is water. This makes lotions thinner and lighter than creams. They are often recommended for the body, because they spread more easily.

A sunscreen lotion is also a nice choice for your face if you have oily skin. Thick creams on oily skin often don't feel comfortable. Some people also find that sunscreen creams make their skin too shiny. A lotion feels less greasy and also leaves less shine.

Bonus tip: Before applying sunscreen, clean your face well. If your skin is not clean enough, your sunscreen will mix with the sebum and debris on your face. The sunscreen can also clog up the debris left in your pores. This may lead to breakouts and will also lessen your sun protection.

Packing for a ski trip? In that case, we always recommend you choose a sunscreen cream with natural ingredients. Avoid lotions and gels. Why? At low temperatures, the water in lotions and gels can freeze. Then you'll have an extremely effective ice pack, but a less effective sunscreen!

Which type of sunscreen is best?

Both sun creams and sun lotions provide excellent protection against harmful UV radiation. Which one you choose depends on your own preferences and skin type. Of course, these are not the only types of sunscreen that are out there. Our advice? The best sunscreen is the one you actually use.