Baby, it’s cold outside! And while winter offers many joys, my skin doesn’t appreciate the season the same way my mind does. But I admit there is a glimmer of hope. I take advantage of the drop in temperatures as an opportunity to pass even more time on my skin and body care routines. Summer skinimalism is out and in its place is winter skin that needs some serious nourishment. As a proactive step, I stock up on the best body butters for the ultimate skin-smoothing routine.
A winter skincare routine is essential. Not only does it keep flaky skin away, but it helps nourish your body’s microbiome and prevent premature aging. Frizzy and cracked skin is one thing, but fundamentally dehydrated skin is another. Luckily, you can rehabilitate parched skin with a little TLC or a lot of body butter.
What is body butter?
Body butter is the ultimate balm for dry skin. Packed with vitamins A and E and omega-3 fatty acids, it helps rejuvenate skin elasticity to fight against premature aging. All of these nourishing vitamins and fatty acids keep your skin’s cell membranes healthy to retain moisture and create a protective barrier around the layers of your skin.
But is body butter suitable for everyone? The thick, occlusive formulas of body butters deeply nourish the skin, but can they clog your pores? Some people avoid body butters for fear of too much of a good thing. To get to the bottom of it, I spoke to a skincare expert who happens to be the founder of my favorite body butter brands. Naa-Sakle Akuete, CEO and founder of Eu’Genia Sheaa family brand dedicated to empowering women through the sale of raw shea butter.
Read on to find out everything you need to know before diving into the vast, hydrating world of body butter. From the best ingredients to incorporating body butter into your routine, we’re getting to the heart of the matter. Plus, scroll to the end to find the body butter that’s right for you.
Body butter versus body cream
Body lotions, butters and creams, oh my! How to tell the difference and how to choose which one to use?
“Body butter has a concentrated balm-like consistency that deeply hydrates and is used primarily on target areas,” says Akuete. “A cream has the consistency of a lotion and can spread more easily on the skin.”
The best ingredient to look for
Akuete says to focus on non-comedogenic ingredients, like unrefined shea butter. “The refining process strips shea of its natural color, fragrance and often vitamins,” she notes.
Other nourishing ingredients to look for include:
- Jojoba Butter
- Cupuaçu Butter
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut oil
- Argan Oil
- Dear
- Phytosterols (a type of vegetable oil)
Ingredients to avoid
Stay away from pore-clogging ingredients, says Akuete, as well as those that can irritate the skin. Concretely, this looks like:
- Perfume + Perfume
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS)
Who should use body butter?
If you’re new to body butter, get ready to enjoy it all hydration. Confidence: There’s always room for a body butter in your routine.
“Body butter can be used by everyone,” says Akuete. “Especially those with intense skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Even people with oily skin and acne can benefit from using body butter, as long as the products don’t clog pores.
When to use body butter in your routine
Body butter locks in moisture, so it’s best used directly after showering.or after a long soak in the bath. You can also use it on particularly dry areas whenever they need a little love. Think elbows, hands, knees and heels.
“I use Eu’Genia body butters when I get out of the shower or wash my hands,” says Akuete. “The Eu’Genia balms were particularly useful to me when I was pregnant with my daughter: my stomach is completely free of stretch marks!”
The Best Body Butters for Smoother, Softer Skin
Want soft, hydrated skin guaranteed by these powerful products? Look no further.
Each product is carefully selected by our editors and we will always give an honest review, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
This article was last updated on April 10, 2023.
