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Lotion vs Balm - What's the difference?

lotion | balm |

In archaic terms the difference between lotion and balm

is that lotion is a washing, especially of the skin for the purpose of beautification while balm is to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

As nouns the difference between lotion and balm

is that lotion is a low- to medium-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to unbroken skin while balm is any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.

As verbs the difference between lotion and balm

is that lotion is to cover or treat with a lotion while balm is to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

lotion

English

(wikipedia lotion)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A low- to medium-viscosity topical preparation intended for application to unbroken skin.
  • (archaic) A washing, especially of the skin for the purpose of beautification.

    • Derived terms

    *

    See also

    * cream (generally a bit thicker than a lotion )

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cover or treat with a lotion.
  • * 2005 , Ryan Phillips, Fall from Grace (page 52)
    • Grace lotions her arms and legs and joins him in the large walk-in closet where they change out of their clothes and into their pajamas—loose-fitting cotton bottoms for Mike and a lace-trimmed baby doll nightie for Grace.
  • * 2011 , Jeanne Starr Gater, Bring Back Summertime (page 89)
    • I would finish my daily ranging session by lotioning his legs, and lotioning and rubbing his feet.

    External links

    * *

    balm

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora'' of Africa, Arabia and India and ''Myroxylon of South America.
  • A plant or tree yielding such substance.
  • Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
    • There is a balm in Gilead.... (Spiritual)
  • (figuratively) Something soothing.
    • Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
  • Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Melissa , such as lemon balm () or bee balm.

    • Synonyms

    * (aromatic resin) balsam * (plant or tree) balsam * (soothing oil or lotion) balsam * (something soothing) balsam

    Related terms

    * balmy * balsam * embalming

    See also

    * lotion * ointment * unguent

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
  • (figurative) To soothe; to mitigate.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Anagrams

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