As a woman, taking care of your skin is perhaps the greatest gift you can give yourself. And not just to look good but to feel good. Good skincare keeps your skin healthy, youthful, and radiant for years. It’s like an investment in your future self.
You’ve probably tried a range of other skincare products already and know just how good they can be. And now you want to add body butter to your routine. But since you’re just starting, you might be unsure about choosing the right one for your needs and concerns. So, in this article, we will break it down for you and tell you everything you need to know about these luxurious skincare products.
What is Body Butter?
Body butter is a super-rich and creamy moisturizer that gives your skin the love and hydration it needs to stay healthy. It is rich because it blends oils and natural butters and does not include water. The creaminess and texture vary from product to product and can be anywhere from whipped to practically solid. But the defining feature is that they’re at least semi-solid.
Body butters have the same job as body lotion, which is to help keep your skin moisturized. But if we were to compare body butter vs. lotion, then here is the difference:
Traditional body butter includes emollients like cocoa butter and shea butter and natural oils like jojoba and argan oil. Body creams contain water or substitutes like aloe vera gel, humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Now, body lotions are similar to creams but have higher water content, fewer occlusives, and lighter emollients.
What are the Benefits of Body Butter for the Skin?
Body butter is more than just a luxurious treat for your skin; it’s packed with benefits for various skin types. But like other beauty products, some butters are better than others. Those that integrate natural ingredients like essential oils are also better for the skin and the environment.
Let’s dive into how body butter can enhance your skincare routine:
Offers Deep Hydration
Body butter provides intense, long-lasting moisture, perfect for dry skin. Its thick, creamy texture sinks deep into your skin, keeping it hydrated and soft all day. This is part of the reason body butter is perfect for men, too. Its nourishing and hydrating properties mean it can soothe rough, dry skin.
Nourishes Your Skin
With vitamins, essential oils, and natural goodies like almond oil and jojoba oil, body butter nourishes your skin from the inside out. These ingredients contain antioxidants and fatty acids that help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Protect Your Skin
Body butter creates a protective barrier on your skin, locks in moisture, and defends against environmental damage and free radicals. This helps keep your skin’s natural defenses strong, which can be great for anti-aging. Body butter also has soothing properties that are ideal for skin irritation and sensitive skin.
Different Types of Body Butter
Body butter comes in various types, each with unique benefits for different skin types. Here’s a look at some popular options and how they can enhance your skincare routine:
Shea Butter
Shea butter has plenty of vitamins and fatty acids, and has an easy-to-spread consistency. These qualities make it perfect for soothing, smoothing, and conditioning your skin. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce redness and calm irritated skin.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter comes from cocoa beans. It’s high in fatty acids, which explains its hydrating and nourishing properties. The fat in Cocoa butter creates a protective layer over the skin to lock in moisture. Cocoa butter is also rich in phytochemicals, which are natural plant compounds that protect against UV radiation and other environmental stressors. Cocoa butter is great for all skin types but is especially beneficial for pregnant women and those with dry or aging skin.
Mango Butter
Mango butter is a lightweight yet deeply moisturizing topical cream made with oil from mango seeds. It has a similar consistency to Shea butter and is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as other useful ingredients like linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. Mango butter’s long-lasting emollience nourishes the skin and boosts its elasticity and suppleness.
Almond Butter
Almond butter has excellent spreadability on the skin, so it’s ideal as a massage butter or carrier for deeply hydrating therapeutic products. It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, and, therefore, deeply moisturizes and replenishes skin.
How to Choose the Right Body Butter for Your Skin Type
Now that you understand body butter, its benefits, and types, it’s time to pick the right one. Use these tips to ensure you get the right one for your needs:
Dry Skin
Best Choice: Shea butter, Cocoa butter
- Why: These butter are rich, thick, and packed with vitamins that provide deep hydration and nourishment. They help to soothe and repair dry, flaky skin.
- Extra tip: Look for body butter containing additional moisturizing oils, like jojoba or almond oil, for an extra hydration boost.
Oily Skin
Best Choice: Mango butter, Sunflower oil butter
- Why: Mango butter is lightweight and non-comedogenic, and prevents clogged pores. Sunflower oil butter is light and helps balance oil production while hydrating the skin.
- Extra tip: Opt for body butter labeled as non-comedogenic to prevent breakouts.
Sensitive Skin
Best Choice: Almond butter, Shea butter
- Why: Almond butter is gentle and soothing, perfect for sensitive skin. Shea butter is also calming and helps reduce irritation.
- Extra tip: Avoid body butter with added essential oils or perfume if you have sensitive skin, which can sometimes cause irritation.
How to Use Body Butter
Lastly, you’ll need to correctly use your body butter of choice to get the most out of it. These steps should help you get it right:
When to Apply
The best time to apply body butter is after you bathe or shower when your skin is damp. Your skin is clean and also able to absorb the nutrients and lock in the moisture.
Frequency
For the best results, use body butter daily. If your skin is dehydrated, you might want to apply it twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed.
How Much to Use
A little goes a long way. Start with a small amount, about the size of a pea, and add more if needed. Body butter is rich and concentrated, so you don’t need much to cover a large area.
Application Technique
- Warm it up: Scoop a small amount of body butter into your hands and rub your palms together to warm it up. This makes it easier to spread and helps it absorb better into your skin.
- Gentle massage: Apply the body butter in gentle, circular motions to stimulate blood flow and ensure the butter penetrates deeply into your skin.
- Focus areas: Pay special attention to dry areas like elbows, knees, hands, and feet. These parts of your body tend to need extra moisture and care throughout the day, especially in extra-dry spots.
Layering Products
If you use other skincare products, like serums or oils, apply them first. Let them absorb into your skin before applying body butter. This layering technique maximizes the benefits of each product.
Special Tips for Maximum Benefits
- For extra dry skin: Consider using body butter as an overnight treatment. Apply a thick layer before bed, and cover with cotton gloves or socks. You’ll wake up with super soft and smooth skin.
- DIY blends: Mix body butter with a few drops of your favorite essential oils for added benefits and a personalized scent. Lavender oil can have a calming effect, while tea tree oil can provide antibacterial properties.
- All-day moisture: For an all-day moisture boost, carry a small container of body butter with you. Reapply to dry areas throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Get Your Body Butter at Pure Treesy
Pure Treesy carries a selection of high-quality body butter for men and women. These products are made from natural ingredients that are good for the skin and the environment. Browse through our catalog to find the right body butter for your needs. You can also check out our body butter discovery set by Organic Bath Co., which has one of each of our body butters.
