Understanding the difference between balm, body oil and lotion

With your body going through so many changes during pregnancy, your skin needs extra loving care and that starts with understanding the difference between balm, body oil and lotion. These products each play a unique role in maintaining healthy, hydrated skin during this transformative time.

You may be wondering: Can I use body lotion on my face? Or what’s the best way to prevent stretch marks on my stomach, hips, and thighs? These questions all come back to knowing the proper function and benefit of each product in your routine.

When you understand the difference between balm, body oil, and lotion, you can craft a pregnancy skincare routine that not only protects your skin but also supports your overall wellness. These three products, when used together, create a nourishing, self-care ritual that promotes radiant, healthy skin.

At Cradle & Tonic, we specialise in clean beauty formulated for pregnancy and beyond. Whether you're using our wonder balm for dry spots, our body oil for deep hydration, or a rich body lotion for daily care, you're treating your skin with love.

Let’s break down the key differences between balm, body oil and lotion - and how each supports your skin during pregnancy.

Balm 

Our Cradle & Tonic Wonder Balm is a unique product that you’re going to fall in love with using. It’s formulated to be used on very dry and chapped areas, like nipples, lips, cuticles and any other place where excessive dryness is present. It also works great as a natural lip balm. It's small size means you can keep it on you at all times to help soothe away any dry spots you have. 

Benefits of using balm 

A skincare balm benefits the most dry skin, since it’s known to be super nourishing, essentially shielding the skin from drying elements and smoothing away rough areas. 

With clean and natural organic hydration oils, like coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter, our Cradle & Tonic Balm goes to work at infusing extra moisture into the skin anywhere you need it. It’s completely safe to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding after your baby is born. 

How to apply body balm on the skin 

Think of body balm as your skin’s final layer of love. Once you've finished your skincare routine, smooth on a little balm to lock in hydration and keep your skin feeling soft all day. It’s perfect to keep in your baby bag or handbag for quick touch-ups—just scoop a small amount, warm it between your hands, and massage it into any dry areas.

Before bed, swipe it over your lips and rub a little into your cuticles too. The rich, buttery texture works overnight to deeply nourish, so you wake up with skin that feels calm, comforted, and flake-free.

Body oil 

The Cradle & Tonic Body Oil is another amazing pregnancy skincare product that you’ll want to add to your routine. It’s an aromatherapy-based body oil that will feel smooth as silk on the skin. With beneficial ingredients that nourish, including sweet almond and jojoba oil with vitamin E, the skin will feel exceptionally moisturised and ready to ward off those dreaded stretch marks.

Plus, with aromatherapy benefits due to the all-natural essential oil content, you’ll love the relaxation that lavender provides, with mandarin and petitgrain as citrus elements, that will brighten your day. 

Benefits of using body oil 

Body oil is like a daily drink of moisture for your skin, especially important during pregnancy when your body is changing so much. It helps keep your skin supple and hydrated, which can reduce the chances of stretch marks and ease that all-too-familiar itchiness that comes with stretching skin.

The best part? It absorbs beautifully, leaving your skin feeling soft, calm, and comforted, not greasy. Every time you massage it in, you’re not just soothing your skin, you’re also giving yourself a moment of care. And that’s something your body (and mind) will thank you for.

How to apply body oil on the skin 

Rub a generous amount of body oil all over the skin, including your baby bump, hips, thighs and breasts. Ideally, you’ll want to do this skincare routine twice a day, morning and night for the best results.

Keep in mind that our Cradle & Tonic Body Oil is meant to go on the skin after your body lotion. It seals in the moisture, acting as a shield to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. You can also use this after baby is born to continue with toning up the skin and preventing dehydration. 

Body lotion 

Body lotion is your skin’s everyday hero, but just for the body. It’s made with rich, nourishing oils that are a little too heavy for the face, so keep it below the neck where it can work its magic without clogging pores.

During pregnancy, your skin needs all the hydration it can get. A deeply moisturising body lotion helps keep skin soft, smooth, and more resilient, especially in those stretch-prone areas.

For the ultimate glow-up, layer it underneath your Cradle & Tonic Body Oil. The combo creates a powerful barrier to lock in moisture and support your skin as it stretches and grows with you.

Benefits of using body lotion 

Body lotion is one of the simplest ways to give your skin the care it craves. With regular use, especially morning and night, you’ll start to notice a real difference. Skin becomes softer, smoother, and more even in tone and texture.

It’s also a brilliant way to reduce dryness, soothe any rough or flaky patches, and give your skin that healthy, natural glow. Well-hydrated skin tends to feel firmer and look more radiant too, like it's had a little extra sleep. Consider it your daily dose of TLC in a bottle.

How to apply body lotion on the skin 

Start at your décolletage and smooth body lotion all the way down to your toes—it’s your daily ritual of hydration. The best time to apply? Morning and night, especially after a warm shower or bath when your skin is still slightly damp. This helps lock in moisture and protect against the drying effects of hot water, cold weather, and gusty winds.

If you have naturally dry skin, layering a body lotion with our Wonder Balm and Body Oil creates a powerful trio. Together, they help keep your skin deeply nourished, more resilient, and beautifully cared for, every day, through every season.

Which one is best for you? 

The truth is, each product plays its own special role—and using all three together is the ultimate way to care for your skin.

Reach for the Cradle & Tonic Balm whenever dry spots pop up. It's perfect for soothing chapped lips, cuticles, elbows, knees, and even sensitive areas like nipples.

For stretch mark support, consistency is key. A twice-daily routine of body lotion followed by Cradle & Tonic Body Oil helps deeply hydrate the skin and improve elasticity, during pregnancy and beyond.

We know those early newborn days can be a blur, but taking a few quiet minutes to massage in your lotion and oil is more than skincare – it’s self-care. So hand baby over for a cuddle with your partner, and take a moment for yourself. Your skin (and your spirit) will thank you.

FAQ

Here are some of the questions we hear most often from our customers at Cradle & Tonic. 

Do you need to apply body oil before or after the lotion?

It’s one of the most common skincare questions, and we get it! When using both lotion and body oil, the right order can make all the difference.

Start with your body lotion first. It delivers deep hydration and preps the skin beautifully. Give it a few minutes to absorb, then follow with Cradle & Tonic Body Oil. The oil helps seal in all that moisture, leaving your skin soft, nourished, and protected for longer.

Think of it as layering your skincare – hydration first, then seal it in with a little extra love.

Can you use body oil instead of lotion?

Yes, you can absolutely use body oil, including Cradle & Tonic Body Oil, on its own. It’s deeply hydrating and packed with skin-loving ingredients that help support your skin as it stretches, reducing the chances of stretch marks during pregnancy.

If you're choosing just one product for daily hydration, body oil is a beautiful option. It absorbs easily, leaves your skin feeling soft and radiant, and gives you that healthy glow – no lotion required.