Are creams the same as moisturizers?

The main difference between cream and moisturizer is that cream is a thick liquid that helps to cleanse, moisturize, soften or heal the skin while moisturizer is any skincare product that helps to retain moisture in the skin.

There are many types of creams in the market. Some of them have cosmetic purposes, while some have medicinal purposes. Moisturizer is any skincare product that prevents dryness in the skin; it can be a lotion, cream or ointment.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Cream
     – Definition, Ingredients, Purpose
2. What is a Moisturizer
     – Definition, Ingredients, Purpose
3. What is the Difference Between Cream and Moisturizer
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cream, Moisturizer, Skincare

A cream is a thick liquid or a semi-solid we apply on the skin. Creams have a cosmetic or a medicinal purpose. They help to cleanse, moisturize, soften or heal the skin. Creams are a blend of water and oil. They are a mixture of water and a higher percentage of oil – basically, water droplets mixed in oil. Therefore, they have a thick consistency and are richer and thicker than lotions.

There are different types of cosmetic creams in the market. For example, moisturizing creams, anti-ageing creams, whitening creams, etc. They have different functions as their names suggest. There are two types of creams as day cream and night cream. A day cream is a lighter cream containing SPF and lightening agents like vitamin C while a night cream is a richer and heavier cream that contains active ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid.

What is a Moisturizer

Moisturizer is a skincare product that helps to retain moistness in the skin and make the skin less dry. Moisturizers can be creams, oils or lotions. They can moisturize, hydrate and lubricate the skin. In healthy skin, these functions are carried out by sebum, an oily secretion produced by sebaceous glands. When your skin lacks sebum, moisturizer provides an external help to retain moisture in the skin.

Moisturizers can prevent dryness in the skin, protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, reduce wrinkles and other skin problems, and help the skin to stay young. They also contain ingredients like antioxidants, mild sun protection, and anti-ageing agents. Moisturizers are necessary for all types of skin types, including dry and oily skins. You should use them twice a day – in the morning and in the evening. Moisturizers for day use usually have SPF elements while moisturizers for night use typically contain ingredients to pacify and repair the skin.

When you are choosing a moisturizer, you should take into account your skin type. People with dry skin should use moisturizers that contain a high content of occlusive substances (occlusive substances are substances that prevent moisture from leaving the skin). Moisturizers that contain a mixture of occlusive and water-absorbent substances are good for normal skin. You should use moisturizers after cleansing the skin.

Difference Between Cream and Moisturizer

Definition

A cream is a skincare product that helps to cleanse, moisturize, soften or heal the skin while a moisturizer is a skincare or cosmetic product that you put on your skin to stop it from becoming dry

Nature

Moreover, a cream is a thick liquid or a semi-solid while a moisturizer can be a cream, lotion or ointment.

Function

There are different types of creams with different purposes; for example, anti-ageing cream, whitening cream, hydrating cream, etc. The main function of a moisturizer is to prevent your skin from becoming dry.

Conclusion

A cream is a skincare product that helps to cleanse, moisturize, soften or heal the skin while a moisturizer is a skincare product that you put on your skin to stop it from becoming dry. There are different types of creams with different purposes, for example, anti-ageing cream, whitening cream, hydrating cream, etc. The main function of a moisturizer is to prevent your skin from becoming dry.  This is the main difference between cream and moisturizer.

Image Courtesy:

1. “4920176” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Topless Woman Putting Moisturizer” By Andrea Piacquadio (CC0) via Pexels