Last updated: October 2026
Short answer: The difference is how much water and how much oil each one contains. A lotion is mostly water, so it feels light and absorbs fast. A cream is thicker and has more oil. An ointment is mostly oil with little or no water, so it seals moisture in best but feels greasy. For dry skin, the American Academy of Dermatology says ointments and creams add more moisture to skin and are more effective than lotions.
At a glance
| Lotion | Cream | Ointment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Oil-in-water emulsion (oil droplets mixed into water), mostly water | Thicker emulsion with more oil than a lotion | Mostly oil (such as petrolatum, or petroleum jelly), little or no water |
| Feel | Light, spreads easily, absorbs fast | Rich but rubs in | Greasy, stays on the surface |
| Holds water in | Least | More | Most |
| Best for | Large areas, mild dryness, humid weather, daytime | Most dry skin, hands, everyday use | Very dry or cracked spots, overnight, heels |
| Downside | Often not enough for very dry skin | Needs preservatives and emulsifiers (ingredients that keep oil and water mixed), which some people react to | Messy, can stain fabric, heavy in hot weather |
What makes them different
All three are mixtures of water and oil. What changes is the ratio. A review in Clinical Medicine & Research describes most cosmetic lotions as oil-in-water emulsions: tiny droplets of oil spread through water. Creams are thicker emulsions with more oil. Ointments are mostly oil and contain little water, which is why they sit on the skin instead of disappearing into it.
That oil layer matters because dry skin is largely a water-loss problem. The same review reports that petrolatum (petroleum jelly), the classic ointment base, can reduce water loss through the skin by more than 98% at a concentration of at least 5%. Lanolin (wool wax), mineral oil and silicones such as dimethicone reduce it by about 20% to 30%. Lotions rely more on water-binding ingredients (humectants) and less on sealing.
What dermatologists recommend for dry skin
The American Academy of Dermatology's dry-skin advice is short: use a cream or ointment rather than a lotion, choose one labeled "fragrance-free," and apply it while your skin is still damp after a shower or bath. It suggests looking for one or more of these ingredients: jojoba oil, dimethicone, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum and shea butter.
The trade-off is comfort. The review above notes that dermatologists often prefer ointments partly because creams may contain sensitizing preservatives and mildly irritating emulsifiers. Ointments need fewer of those, but most people won't wear a greasy layer on their hands all day. A good cream is usually the practical middle.
How to choose
- Hands you use all day: a cream that absorbs in a minute or two, reapplied after washing.
- Cracked heels, knuckles or cuticles: an ointment or balm overnight, under cotton socks or gloves if you like.
- Whole body after a shower: a lotion in summer or in humid climates, a cream in winter.
- Face: a light cream. Save ointments for small, very dry patches.
Body butters and balms behave like ointments because they're mostly fat and wax. Gels are mostly water and behave like very light lotions.
How to tell from the label
If water (aqua) is the first ingredient, it's a lotion or cream. If the list starts with petrolatum, mineral oil, a butter or a wax, it acts like an ointment. The Ingredient Label Decoder asks for the product type for this reason: water usually makes up a much bigger share of a lotion than a balm, so the estimated percentages change with it.
Check your own moisturizer. Paste its ingredient list into our free Ingredient Label Decoder to find the likely 1% line, see a rough percentage for each ingredient, and learn what each one does.
Frequently asked questions
Is cream better than lotion for dry skin?
For most people with dry skin, yes. The American Academy of Dermatology says ointments and creams add more moisture to skin and are more effective than lotions. A lotion can be enough for mild dryness or in humid weather.
Is petroleum jelly an ointment?
Pure petroleum jelly (petrolatum) is the classic ointment base. It is one of the most effective ingredients for slowing water loss: at 5% or more it can reduce water loss through the skin by more than 98%.
When should I apply moisturizer?
Right after a shower, bath or hand-washing, while skin is still damp. The water on your skin is then held in by the cream or ointment.
More ingredient comparisons
- Glycerin vs. Hyaluronic Acid: Which Humectant Is Better for Dry Skin?
- Shea Butter vs. Cocoa Butter: Which Is Better for Dry Skin?
- Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented: What the Labels Really Mean
- See all ingredient comparisons
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
- Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical Medicine & Research. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. https://www.clinmedres.org/content/15/3-4/75
About this page
We wrote this comparison from the sources listed above and confirmed each figure on the linked page in October 2026. It is general information, not medical advice. If you have painful, cracked, bleeding or persistent skin problems, see a doctor or dermatologist.
Corium 21's cream is an aloe-based cream, not a lotion or an ointment, made to absorb without feeling greasy. Corium 21 is a family-owned company that makes a moisturizing cream with certified organic aloe vera. Trusted since 1994. Family-owned in Oregon. It is a cosmetic moisturizer: it moisturizes and helps relieve dryness. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.