Difference between Liniment and Lotion

We are often worried about our skin and sometimes it looks dry or painful, especially in winter. For this, we look for therapeutic preparations that help us recover, that can relieve pain, or moisturize the skin. In such a situation, we often come across two important products, liniment and lotion. Liniment is an antiseptic that provides relief from pain and lotion on the other hand works as a moisturizer. However, they are different in their characteristics and applications. Let's find out how!

Liniment: What is it?

Liniment is an antiseptic that helps to relieve pain. It is generally used for medical purposes. It comes in a liquid form and contains ingredients like alcohol, camphor, methyl, and salicylate. It has an oily base which makes it dense. It is used for external purposes. It is used to heal pain, joints, wounds, and the affected area. We apply this cream by rubbing, which involves friction.

The purpose of rubbing is to let liniment absorb deep into the skin. It contains alcohol, and it is recommended to use it at night rather than during the day. The alcoholic property in liniment helps sustain moisturizer throughout the night. It is applied to the affected area and not to the whole body. It irritates when applied to the broken parts of the body. It is less gentle and should be rubbed only on the affected area, which further helps clogged pores. The harms of liniment are more than its benefits, as alcohol causes the skin to dry out and it is costly as well. Notably, one should not take a shower after applying liniments. It is also used for horses. Liniment is used to heal the joints and muscles of horses. Liniment includes both pros and cons.

Types of Liniments

1. Alcoholic Liniment: It is a liniment used for counter-irritation. It gets quickly absorbed into the skin, which helps prevent the skin from being red and cures it completely.
2. Oleaginous Liniment: It is used for massage and causes less irritation. It is also used for coating.
3. Emollients: This liniment is completely oil-based. It comes in different forms, such as gel and ointment.

Examples of Liniments

1. Compound Calamine Liniment: This liniment is used for itching and swollen skin. It is yellow. The discomfort which is caused by dermatitis is treated by this liniment only. The other name for this liniment is Calamine Lotion.
2. Efficascent Oil: This liniment is used for pains like simple backache, arthritis, stains, etc. It gives temporary relief. It is green in color and known by the name Methyl Salicylate Camphor.
3. Terpentine Liniment: It is basically for relieving joints and muscles that occur due to arthritis and osteoarthritis. By applying this, an individual gets relief and reduces stiffness. In this, turpentine oil is found, which lowers the pain and soothes muscles. Not only this, but it also contains camphor which provides coolness. This liniment's castor oil and potassium hydroxide benefits muscles and joints.

Advantages of Liniments

• Applied to the Skin Readily: Liniments are in liquid form. It is applied to the skin 3-4 times a day, depending on the affected area's intensity. It typically helps to cure and acts as an embrocation.
• High Bioavailability: The Liniments are bioavailable which means it gets interact quickly. The wound gets healed due to its absorbing quality.
• Absorbs quickly by the Skin: It gets absorbed into the skin easily. The presence of important ingredients helps restore the skin.

Disadvantages of Liniments

• Low Stability: It has low stability and restores the original skin temporarily. Using liniment regularly can lead to severe consequences.
• Difficult to Transport: It is a semi-liquid base. It is made up of dangerous chemicals and hence is difficult to transport.
• Redness/Irritation: Liniments can cause redness and irritation. It is not suitable for every type of skin.
• Swollen/Rash: This liniment may cause itching, rashes, and swelling. Dizziness can occur if applied on the tongue or skin unexpectedly.

Lotion: What is it?

The lotion is a liquid moisturizer that is applied to the skin. It is used for both medical and cosmetic purposes, but it is mostly used for cosmetic purposes than medical. It is aqueous that is watery, and contains an emulsifier. Like liniment, it is also used for external applications. Not only this, it is gentler than liniment as it provides soothing skin. It is less dense due to its flowing quality. It is not applied with friction. It doesn't contain ingredients like alcohol and camphor. It is not used for the affected area. There is no harm in taking a shower while using lotion. Calamine Lotion is the best example of lotion, used for itching and inflammation, which provides relief.

Ingredients of Lotion

• Aqua Phase: The lotion is made up of water. It is fluid and spreads easily when applied.
• Oily Phase: The lotion used to soften the skin contains moisture. Applying to the skin forms layers that further help beautify the body.
• Emulgent: The emulgent helps to keep lotion together so that it doesn't separate. Simply put, it binds water, oil, and other ingredients.

Classification of Lotion

1. Skin Maintaining: Some lotions exist to cure skin only. The skin-maintaining lotion is good for people who work outside. The dry skin of those can be fixed with such lotions. In general, this type of lotion softens dry skin and makes it normal.
2. Damage Repairing: For damaged skin, it is highly recommended to use a lotion with damage-repairing characteristics. The lotion helps repair the skin, which further helps in the skin's glow.
3. Anti-tan and Fairness: Some lotions are used for fairness and anti-tan purposes. The tan caused by the sun can be fixed if treated properly with lotion.
4. Anti-stretch Marks: We all know new mothers face stretch marks. The lotion helps to nullify stretch marks.
5. Anti-wrinkled or Anti Agency: It helps to reduce wrinkles on the skin as its ingredients include Vitamin E, which helps lower the wrinkles and shows younger skin rather than the original one.

Types of Lotions

1. Humectants: It is a lotion type that smooths the skin. It absorbs the water from the skin. It works as a moisturizer, so it hydrates the skin.
2. Occlusive: This is the lotion that helps create skin layers. It prevents skin from losing moisture.

Advantages of Lotion

• Rehydrate Dried Skin: It rehydrates the skin of people who work outside. It provides moisture and makes skin smooth.
• Replenish Extra Dry or Rough Spots: Rough skin reduces the beauty of the skin. This rough spot makes the skin look ugly. Lotion helps in treating such rough areas of skin.
• Feel and Smell Good: Some people use lotion to smell the fragrance of the moisturizer. It gives them freshness and makes them feel good.
• Helps Yourself Relax: This lotion relaxes people as it gives them smooth skin. It gives individuals happiness to feel their bodies which further provides relaxation.
• Smooth Callous: We might have observed when we stand or sit on our feet for long; our feet start hurting. The pain caused by standing could be cured through lotion by removing dead skin.

Disadvantages of Lotion

• It might be allergic: The lotion includes chemicals that cause redness and itching in some people. This redness and itching may further cause irritation in an individual. If such incidents occur, a person should contact a doctor.
• Can clog pores: The lotion includes chemicals like petrolatum (vaseline) and lanolin (sheep-wool oil) which are harmful to the skin as they clog pores.
• Breathing trouble: The lotions contain fragrance. These chemicals may cause respiratory problems in some people.
• Expensive: The lotions are relatively costly. It is generally used by well-established people. It is a luxurious product used by the masses of people.

Key Differences between Liniment and Lotion