lotion

lotion — noun

1. a liquid that people spread onto their skin to keep it healthy, soft, or clean,

1.nounB1
Definition

a liquid that people spread onto their skin to keep it healthy, soft, or clean, or to give it a pleasant smell

Example

Élise applies lotion after every shower to keep her skin soft.

apply + lotion (common collocation for skin-care routines)

The doctor recommended a special lotion for Diya's dry hands.

recommend + lotion (medical context)

Common collocations
  • apply lotion
  • put on lotion
  • hand lotion
  • body lotion
  • moisturizing lotion
  • sunscreen lotion
Synonyms
  • cream

    thicker and richer than lotion; often used for moisturising the face or hands

  • ointment

    thicker, greasier, and typically medicinal; used for treating specific skin conditions

  • balm

    solid or semi-solid at room temperature; used for soothing dry or chapped skin

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when talking about the substance in general (e.g. 'some lotion'). Can be countable when referring to a particular type or a container of it (e.g. 'a hand lotion', 'a new lotion').

Common Mistakes

She put cream on her face after washing it.' (when a lighter, liquid product is meant)
She put lotion on her face after washing it.
Cream is thicker and heavier; lotion has a thinner, more liquid consistency.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lotion, cream, ointment, and balm are all products applied to the skin, but they differ in thickness and purpose. Lotion has the thinnest, most liquid consistency and absorbs quickly; people use it for general moisturising on large body areas. Cream is thicker and richer, often used for the face or hands when deeper hydration is needed. Ointment is greasy and stays on the skin longer, typically for medicinal use on dry or irritated patches. Balm is solid or semi-solid at room temperature and usually comes in a small tin or stick, designed for targeted areas such as lips or cuticles. For example, 'She applied lotion to her arms after sunbathing, used cream on her face at night, spread ointment on the eczema patch, and dabbed balm on her chapped lips.'

lotion ↗cream ↗ointment ↗balm

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • apply lotion to
  • rub in lotion
  • a bottle of lotion

Prepositions

  • of lotion
  • lotion for [body part]

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Lotion comes from Latin 'lotio', meaning 'a washing', through French 'lotion'. The root is Latin 'lavare' (to wash), which also gives us 'lavatory', 'laundry', and 'lavender'. The word entered English in the 14th century, originally referring to a liquid used for washing or bathing the skin, and later took on its modern meaning of a cosmetic or skincare liquid.