Body lotion has become a divisive topic in the office over the past few weeks—blame the cold weather. And though we can barely come to a consensus on whether to use it or skip it (or switch categories completely and use a body oil instead), two editors care enough about lotion consistency to argue their points publicly. On one side, we have Emily Ferber, champion of thin formulae everywhere. On the other end of the ring, there's Claire Knebl carrying the banner for the heavier hitters. Who's Ronda Rousey? Who's Holly Holm? This is Point/Counterpoint. Read and make your call in the comments.
Point, from Emily: “I take my body lotion notes from Brooke Wall: Yes, you need it—but only if you apply it within seven or so minutes after getting out of the shower. After that, it's worthless. Seriously, after years of applying whenever I remember, I've come to believe that you could literally moisturize with anything, thick or thin, as long as you're within the seven minute window. And so lies the misconception in body moisturization. You think, the thicker the formula, the more long-lasting the results. But if we're operating under the guise of efficiency here, let the medium match the message—pick an efficient formula to match your application method. None of this thick body cream nonsense. Go with something thin that'll glide over your legs and anything else quickly and without fuss. And something with a pump top! Ellis' Excellent Body Milk (excellent is literally in the product name) is the embodiment of this. And it smells as light and luxe as it is. When it soaks in, you can feel it—that satisfying lotion feel. And that's all that really matters.”
Counterpoint, from Claire: “Body milk is a product with a formula that's too advanced—fluid, slippery, spillable—for the general clumsiness that defines the movements I make early in the morning or late at night, which also happen to be the times most convenient for all-over moisturization. I mean, body lotion, of whatever variety, is generally not something you whip out during your lunch break. If body milk came in a spray bottle and didn't require major rubbing-in action, it would work for me—but that's why I have my Nuxe body oil. But with soufflé, créme, butter, whatever—with something thicker, there's no rush to rub it in before it trickles off your body and onto the floor—meaning everything's easier, much easier. Settle with something like Kiehl's Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter—and by settle, I mean level up. Smells like coconut, feels like heaven, and comes in holiday packaging. It sticks to you and then usually takes a few minutes to sink in, which is valuable time to reflect on important things, like what the difference between butter, soufflé, and brûlée is anyway.”
Photographed by Tom Newton.
Talking body—read about Tom's favorite shower gels, Claire's clay treatment, and Emily's choice drugstore lotions.
