Body Butters Vs Lotions

Body butter is typically a combination of natural butter, carrier oils, and specialized ingredients like herbs and (the secret formulas of every brand!) to formulate a body butter product. Body Butters typically do not contain water. Natural butters contains essential fats and minerals. Common types of body butters include shea, cocoa, mango, avocado and etc. Carrier oils are used to hold and deliver essential ingredients into the skin. Body Butter have a consistency similar to the butter we eat. It has the strongest scent and lasts longer than both lotion and creams. Each butter will vary in its unique texture, rigidity, and absorbency. Body butters are applied to retain moisture, lubricate and nourish the skin. Dermatologists suggest that people use body butter on their lips, hands, elbows, legs and feet. Some absorb into the skin quickly while others may leave a slight oily barrier depending on skin type and formulation.

Lotions are similar to creams but are even lighter (because they contain more water) and provide the thinnest type of application. It usually has a non-greasy feel and it absorbs quickly compared to body butter. It is great for non-dry skin and even oily skin types. It will not necessarily moisturize as much or stay on as long as a butter or cream might. Usually lotions are applied to the arms, stomach and thighs. An added bonus of body lotions is that it will seal in and preserve the moisture that is already in your skin. Lotions can also be used much more often than butters simply because they’ll absorb faster. 

The main difference between body butter and lotion is texture and oil concentration. Body Lotions tend to have a high water content and are therefore thinner with a liquid-like consistency. Lotions may be formulated with lightweight hydrators, like squalene. As such, body lotions are excellent for daily use, as they’re hydrating but not heavy or greasy. Body butters, on the other hand, are thick, creamy, and often feel like, well, butter. They contain a high concentration of body oils like jojoba oil and or coconut oil and natural butters like shea butter and cocoa butter. They are typically ideal for those with dry skin, as they’re thicker and often offer more intense hydration. That doesn’t mean that body lotion should be avoided if you have dry skin. It merely means that body lotion will have a more liquid feel than body butter. Realistically, both can help improve the texture and appearance of dry skin — which you choose should depend on the ingredients, your personal preferences, and what type of skin you have.

Using a body butter versus body lotion is really a personal preference. Each has their pros and cons, but if you want to use a body butter year-round instead of just during the winter, or if you never want to use a body butter because the thick and oily feeling; that is completely fine. It’s all about what your beauty product choices are.

Here are a few factors that might determine whether you reach for a body butter or body lotion to keep your skin hydrated.

1. Skin Concern or Problem Area
2. What time of the year it is
3. What feel do you prefer

What's your skin type and main skin concerns?

Body butters are packed with heavier moisturizers and therefore tend to provide a more intense dose of hydration. These are great for those who are prone to dry skin or anyone who is dealing with dehydrated skin or rough patches. These decadent formulas are great for richly replenishing the skin's moisture levels in rapid time.

For those with oily skin, body butter may leave a greasy feel on the skin. For this skin type, a water or aloe-based moisturizer like body lotion will likely be a better fit. The lightweight, super breathable texture of body lotion is also usually better for those who are prone to body breakouts.

For those looking to boost elasticity in their skin (mature skin types, pregnant people looking to minimize stretch marks, etc.), body butter may be a good go-to as the formulas tend to be higher in elasticity-boosting ingredients like fatty acids.

What time of year is it?

The cold, dry air of the winter months is known to zap moisture from the skin, leaving it feeling drier and dehydrated. During this time, you may find that you need to apply body butter on a daily basis to keep the skin barrier healthy and moisturized.

In the warmer months, when humidity is higher and temperatures are more moderate, your skin is often able to retain more moisture naturally. Because of that, it may not need as rich of a formula. During these seasons, a body lotion will likely be a better choice for daily use. 

What type of feel do you prefer?

If you have normal skin that's not particularly dry or oily, you may find that you can use either formula regularly to hydrate your skin. If this is the case, it may ultimately come down to what type of feel you prefer.

Body butter is richer and tends to leave a silky feel on the skin. Because they're designed to provide intense hydration and create a protective barrier, they can also take longer to absorb. Like night creams, body butters can be great to use before bed to boost the skin's moisture levels while it's in recovery mode overnight. If you prefer a body lotion that doesn't leave any sort of distinct feel on the skin, a body lotion will be the better choice. Because these are typically formulated with ingredients like water, aloe, and glycerin, they are fast-absorbing for a daily dose of hydration that also feels weightless. Similar to lightweight day creams for the face, body lotion can be a great choice to use in the morning when you need to moisturize and head out the door. No need to wait for the formula to soak in with this type of moisturizer.

If you are still trying to figure out which of the two options works best for you, test out a couple of each. Maybe there’s one butter you’ll find that you don’t mind using and you can use once a week. You could also possibly find a lotion that feels thick enough to use instead of butter. As a rule of thumb, lotions usually work well on oily areas of the skin and body butter works best on dry areas of the skin. Lotions lubricate and quickly soften the skin. While body butter will stay on the skin longer, helping to prevent loss of moisture and deeply moisturize overtime. So, you will likely find yourself using both! As we are often made up of a mix of dry and oily areas.