This guide is approximately a 3-minute read.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why you should use body and/or hand lotion
• How to choose a lotion that's a good fit for your skin type

Let’s get started.

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How to Choose: Body and Hand Lotions for Men

Lotions aren't just for ladies!

While you may get pictures of flowery-smelling products in pink bottles when you hear the word "hand lotion," lotions are important for guys’ skin too.

But that doesn't mean that you have to walk around smelling like a girl all day long! There are now body lotions and hand lotions made just for men that you can add to your daily body care routine.

Read on to learn why you should be using body and/or hand lotion and how to go about choosing them.

Why Use a Lotion?

Body lotions and hand lotions are moisturizers that are made especially for your body skin.

They replace moisture that's lost during the day due to evaporation. Without regular moisturizing, the skin on your body can grow rough, dry and flaky.

Applying a lotion at least once every day can help to keep your skin smoother and healthier - and decrease your risk of ending up with itchy skin, particularly in the wintertime.

There are both body lotions and hand lotions.

An example of a body lotion is the Deep Moisture Body Lotion from Brickell:

An example of a hand lotion is the Dry Hand Rescue from URTH:

How to Choose a Body or Hand Lotion for Men

To get the right lotion for your needs, consider your skin type as follows:

Dry Skin

For dry skin, you need extra hydration to make up for your body not producing enough oil on its own.

Look for intensive body lotions that contain a mix of oils and butters plus silicone or lanolin to add hydration to your skin and create a protective seal to reduce the risk of future dryness.

Oily Skin

For oily skin, it's important to choose a lightweight lotion to avoid clogging your pores.

Non-comedogenic lotions and balms made with glycerin and hyaluronic acid are great choices.

These moisturizing ingredients hydrate by helping moisture from the air bind to your skin instead of adding oils to your already oily skin.

Sensitive Skin

Note: if you have sensitive skin (or aren't sure if you do), please don't test out any grooming products before consulting with your dermatologist or doctor first.

For sensitive skin, choose products that are hypoallergenic or fragrance free. These formulas are extra gentle and less likely to cause irritation.

Body lotions that contain aloe vera, chamomile, and vitamin E can help to reduce inflammation to calm your skin when it gets stressed.

Normal Skin

For normal skin, choose traditional lotions and creams with fragrances that you like or unscented products.

You may want to use a slightly heavier lotion in the wintertime when your hands and body skin are more likely to become dry.

Important Terms for Lotions

Here's a quick rundown on some of the terms you'll see used on labels and in descriptions for men's body and hand lotions:

• Antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that protect skin from free radicals in UV and environmental pollutants that damage cells and give rise to signs of aging.

• Sunscreens. Sunscreens reduce the harmful effects of UVB, radiation from the sun that causes sunburn. Broad-spectrum formulas also protect skin from UVA, which contributes to wrinkling and skin cancer.

• Parabens. Parabens are preservatives that have been shown to cause skin irritation, and that may potentially pose health risks. It's best to choose a paraben-free lotion, particularly if you have sensitive skin.