How to Sign "Lotion"

To sign 'lotion', hold your non-dominant hand open with the palm facing up. Take your open dominant hand and rub it in a circular motion against the palm of your non-dominant hand. This motion mimics the real-life action of rubbing lotion into your hands.

Examples Using "Lotion" in a Sentence

1

I need to buy some lotion.

Sign 'I', 'need', 'buy', and then use the circular rubbing motion on your palm for 'lotion'.

2

My hands are dry; I need lotion.

Sign 'my', 'hands', 'dry', followed by the sign for 'lotion' to show what you need to moisturize them.

3

Do you have any lotion?

Sign 'you', 'have', and then 'lotion' while raising your eyebrows to ask a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Lotion"
To sign 'lotion', hold your non-dominant hand open with the palm facing up. Take your open dominant hand and rub it in a circular motion against the palm of your non-dominant hand. This motion mimics the real-life action of rubbing lotion into your hands.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the action it describes. The circular rubbing motion directly mimics the real-life action of applying and rubbing lotion into the palms of your hands.
Signing Tips
Keep your hands relaxed and use a smooth, continuous circular motion to make the sign look natural. You don't need to press hard; a gentle brushing motion conveys the meaning perfectly.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is clapping the hands together or using a rigid back-and-forth motion instead of a smooth, circular rubbing motion. Make sure the movement is circular, mimicking how you would actually apply lotion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Lotion" in a Sentence
1

I need to buy some lotion.

Sign 'I', 'need', 'buy', and then use the circular rubbing motion on your palm for 'lotion'.

2

My hands are dry; I need lotion.

Sign 'my', 'hands', 'dry', followed by the sign for 'lotion' to show what you need to moisturize them.

3

Do you have any lotion?

Sign 'you', 'have', and then 'lotion' while raising your eyebrows to ask a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which hand I use to rub?

You should use your dominant hand to do the rubbing motion while your non-dominant hand acts as the base. This follows the standard ASL rule where the dominant hand performs the primary action.

Can I rub the back of my hand instead?

While the version shown here rubs the palm, some signers do rub the back of the hand to mean lotion. However, sticking to rubbing the palm is widely understood and matches this specific variation.

Is this sign used for sunscreen or ointment too?

Yes, this sign can be used generally for creams, ointments, or sunscreen. For sunscreen, you might add context by signing 'sun' before 'lotion' to be more specific.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!