While called a "lotion" pump, they are used for a wide variety of products:
Skincare: Body lotion, hand cream, facial moisturizers, serums, sunscreens.
Hair Care: Leave-in conditioners, hair serums, scalp treatments.
Liquid Soaps: Hand soap, shower gel, shampoo, body wash.
Household Cleaners: Liquid dish soap, surface cleaners, detergents.
Hygienic: Unlike jars, you don't need to dip your fingers into the product, which prevents contamination by bacteria.
Controlled Dosage: Each pump delivers a consistent, measurable amount (e.g., 0.5ml, 1.0ml), helping to control how much product you use.
Convenient & Easy: One-handed operation makes it easy to use, especially when your other hand is busy.
Preserves Product: The system minimizes the product's exposure to air and light, which helps preserve the integrity of active ingredients that can degrade over time.
Less Waste: It's easier to get all the product out of the bottle compared to a jar.
Potential for Clogging: If not cleaned properly (especially with thicker or drying formulas), the nozzle can become clogged.
Cost: Pumps are more complex and expensive to manufacture than simple caps or jar lids.
Not for Very Thick Products: Extremely viscous products (like thick balms or paste-like creams) may not work well with a standard pump and might require a wider-mouth tube or jar.