Q: Why do I need a specific face cream/lotion? Why not just an all over body cream/lotion?
A: Oola Body Care does makes a body lotion, but to the cost of the specific ingredients required for a face cream, they aren't part of the Oola product line at this time. There are several reasons why lotions applied to the face are formulated differently from face creams. Here are a few considerations:
Facial muscles attach to other muscles or to your skin, unlike the other skeletal muscles, which attach to the bones.
Facial skin is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your body, and, there is a thinner layer of fat under the surface of the face. This is why wrinkles are more visible on the face (and neck). The thinnest part of facial skin is the eyelids and the areas just around the eyes.
Faces are oilier and shinier than other areas of the body since there are a lot more oil glands on the face.
Our bodies produce this extra oil to protect and lubricate the face as it is the most exposed area of the body. Over cleansing (or using astringents) strip the skin of these natural oils, causing abnormal function. People with oily skin may think they need an astringent to rid the excess oil, but actually, all they are doing is causing the body to say, ‘O dear, my natural oils have been eliminated, better make extra oil to make up for it!’ It becomes a vicious circle.
Also, there are more hair follicles on your face when compared to the same size area on the body but the hairs are much finer, the follicles much closer together. Sweating is one way for the body to release toxins. One must take care not to clog the face follicles, as this could lead to pimples and skin eruptions (acne, psoriasis, eczema).
Body lotion is oilier than facial cream. Applying body lotion on the delicate surface of the face creates too much oil, leading to clogged pours and/or an oilier complexion. One needs gentle, non-stripping products on the face and neck.
Many soaps and body care products bought in stores contain sulphates (such as sodium laureth or laurel sulphate) which strip the skin of its natural oils and can be the cause of many skin issues. For this reason, Oola Body Care does not use any sulphate ingredients.
So while your face does need to be hydrated, it needs different ingredients than the rest of the body to avoid clogging your pores. One ingredient that does wonders for the face is Niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3). One needs to look for anti-inflammatory ingredients too. These ingredients are costly, which is why a good face cream/lotion tends to be more costly.
Also, speaking hormonally, changes in hormones will change the nature of the skins elasticity and hydration.
Be sure the facial product you use is PH balanced. This makes an enormous difference in the overall results of your skin care. Human facial products should have a PH level between 5.4 to just under 6. Lastly, ALWAYS test any new product on a small area to be sure there are no adverse reactions.