Lotion

A lotion is a lightweight topical emulsion with a higher water content than a cream, designed to spread easily over larger areas of skin and absorb quickly.

Lotions combine water, oils, emulsifiers, humectants such as glycerin, and preservatives into a pourable liquid. The high water proportion gives a cooling, non-greasy feel and makes lotions suited to daily use on arms, legs, and body, whereas creams and balms are thicker and stay on the surface longer. Fragrance, botanical extracts, and skin-conditioning agents are common additions. Lotions are packaged in pump bottles or squeeze tubes.

A CBD lotion contains a hemp extract dispersed in the oil phase of the emulsion. The label should state total cannabinoid milligrams per container, the extract type, a full ingredient list, and a batch number matched to a certificate of analysis. Topical cannabinoids are marketed and regulated as cosmetics, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has objected to disease claims on such products. Research on cannabinoids applied to the skin remains limited and mostly preliminary.