Facial Skin vs. Body Skin – What’s the Difference?

Skin is skin, isn’t it? Not really. There are major differences in the skin on your face versus the skin on your body. You may notice that the skin on certain parts of your body feels differently from other areas, and you may even notice that skin on one part of your face isn’t the same as on another part.

Thickness – Skin thickness can vary widely from face to body skin and from body part to body part. The skin on our faces is thinner than on our bodies, which is why we use different lotions and creams for our faces than on our bodies. Our eyelids, in particular are extremely thin and lack oil glands, requiring special eye creams that can absorb yet not irritate the delicate skin. In contrast, the skin on our bodies is thicker because it protects organs, fat and muscles. Our feet carry our body weight, so the skin on feet is extremely thick. Lotions and creams for the body are usually too heavy to be used on the face, so stick to facial products for the face only.

Oiliness – The face is a lot oilier than the rest of the body, due to a large number of oil glands. These oil glands lubricate the skin and contain anti-bacterial properties to protect the face. Yet another reason not to over-wash your face! This also reinforces the fact that lotions designed for the body are usually too oily for the face; the body usually needs more intense hydration.

Hair – The face contains a high density of hair follicles in both men and women, though most of the hair is extremely fine. And clogged hair follicles on the face can contribute to acne. The rest of the body has varying hair follicle density, with some parts (like the feet and back) having very few follicles to others (like the head) having quite a bit.

These three major differences between skin on the face and skin on the body require different types of products, from specialized washes and cleansers to moisturizers and anti-aging serums and lotions. Pick the right product and keep your skin healthy and youthful.