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As our skin battles constantly changing environmental factors, (Summer humidity! Winter dryness! Everything in between!) maintaining its moisture balance is crucial year-round. Regardless of the season, dry and flaky skin can be a common issue. To combat this, investing in a deeply hydrating body moisturizer is essential. But not just any will do—dermatologists say you want something that is ultra-nourishing like body butter, which not only hydrates skin from the neck down but also locks in the moisture that is so easily lost.
Experts in This Article
board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology
board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and associate clinical professor in dermatology at Yale School of Medicine
board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York
board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York
Best body butters, at a glance
- Best overall: Mutha Body Butter, $45
- Best budget: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, $10
- Best scented: True Botanicals Clean Body Butter Cream, $60
- Best fragrance-free: Fount Society Body Butter, $68
- Best for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, $16
- Best plant-based: Corpus No. Green Body Butter, $58
- Best calming: Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, $19
- Best for glowing skin: Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter, $54
- Best for barrier repair: Ren Evercalm Barrier Support Body Balm, $45
- Best lightweight: Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter, $41
- Best rich: Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Hydrating Body Cream, $45
- Best for long-lasting moisture: The Body Shop Mango Body Butter, $24
- Best budget: Vaseline Cocoa Butter Healing Jelly, $4
- Best classic: Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter, $49
- Best nourishing: Caudalíe Vinotherapist Replenishing Vegan Body Butter, $38
- Best application: Bliss Naked Body Butter, $20
- Best long-lasting fragrance: Ouai Melrose Place Body Crème, $38
- Best multitasker: L’Occitane Organic-Certified Pure Shea Butter, $42
- Best ointment: CeraVe Healing Ointment, $15
Body butters contain natural butters—as the name implies—like cocoa, shea, avocado, and mango butter, plus oils like Argan, coconut, avocado, and sunflower oils. For these reasons, they typically have a heavier, thicker consistency compared to lotions and creams, as well as a higher proportion of oil to water, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD—which is especially ideal for combating moisture-depleting elements.
“Oils in general are wonderful emollients for skin, meaning they can prevent evaporation of hydration from the skin into the environment,” echoes dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD. “Usually in more arid times of year when humidity is low, it’s the tendency of the environment to pull water out of the skin, and so people’s skin is drier—and when people turn on their heaters, which can also cause the air to dry, it’s the same scenario.”
All to say, you can benefit from a body butter all year long, but when temps drop, hydration key. “Body butters are really great this time of year as the weather starts to cool and the air becomes more arid and less humid, and they’re also really great for people who are just having a hard time keeping their skin moisturized,” says Dr. Nazarian.
What to look for when shopping for body butter
Geeta Yadav, MD, dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology says the two most important considerations to make when selecting a body are the ingredients and texture.
“If your skin is very dry and rough, you’ll want to look for a very rich, plant oil-heavy formula with ingredients known for their ability to deeply moisturize skin, like shea, cocoa, mango, and avocado seed butter,” she says. Many body butters are formulated with one or a combination of these ingredients, and selecting among them is largely a matter of preference.
Ingredients
According to Dr. Nazarian, a body butter may also contain occlusive ingredients, like petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin, and waxes, that lock moisture into the skin—and people could also opt to use a body ointment, which contains these ingredients, among others that help to hydrate the skin.
However, some ingredients in body butters can aggravate acne-prone or sensitive skin—and in this case, you’ll want to select a formulation that is made without comedogenic ingredients, which means they won’t clog your pores. Coconut oil is one ingredient that is highly comedogenic, says Dr. Yadav, while Dr. Nazarian often tells patients to steer clear of cocoa butter. Similarly, you might also want to select an unscented or fragrance-free option as some strong fragrances are known to cause allergic reactions in the skin, as well as some preservatives like formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents such as methylene diphenyl (or MDI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). While they note that not everyone will have issues with these ingredients, it might be worth performing a past test if you’re using a new product and/or unsure of potential allergies.
Conversely, Dr. Gohara is of the mind that people with acne-prone or extremely sensitive skin might want to avoid body butters altogether. “I would just stick with fragrance-free, hypoallergenic hydrators and moisturizers,” she says.
Texture
When it comes to texture, you can expect body butter to have a thicker consistency than your average lotion and cream. The butter will more slowly sink into the skin than other lotions for longer-lasting moisture. If you want a lighter-weight option, you might want to avoid formulations with an ointment base, which Dr. Nazarian says contain a high concentration of oils that can make them feel thick and—at times—greasy upon initial application.
Shop 19 of the best body butters
Scent: Citrus | Cruelty-free? Yes | Available sizes: 1.7 fl. oz. and 5.5 fl. oz.
If you want a body butter that does it all, you can’t go wrong with Mutha’s award-winning blend, which feels like a spa day in a jar. Shea butter, cocoa butter, and mango seed butter work together to quench your skin’s thirst like never before for softer, smoother skin that stays hydrated for longer. The brand itself is a champion of purity, and makes products free from nasty chemicals, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them safe for every skin type and soon-to-be moms. While it’s a bit pricier than other options, it really is the epitome of luxury and is worth every single penny.
Pros:
- Triple blend of natural butters for long-lasting hydration
- Dermatologist tested
- Made without synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde
- Subtle citrus scent
Cons:
- Pricey
- Only one scent available
Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-free? No | Available sizes: 7.2 oz.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter is a fan-favorite—and it is one that Dr. Ilyas recommends. It contains cocoa butter, a mixture of oils including cocoa seed and sunflower, and vitamin E. The balm-like product provides deep hydration to the skin all over the body while smoothing rough patches on the elbows, knees, ankles, and heels. Oh, and not to mention, it’s cheap; one tub will cost you around $10. One thing to note is that it contains mineral oil, and though excellent for sealing moisture into the skin, it can be comedogenic—something to keep in mind as you shop.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Natural chocolate-y scent
- Multitasker
- Contains mineral oil, which can seal moisturize into the skin
Cons:
- Cocoa butter and mineral oil cause an allergic reaction in some individuals
- Can be comedogenic
Scent: Citrus and sandalwood | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 7.4 oz.
If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious for your self-care routine, look no further than this heavenly body butter from True Botanicals. Formulated with an ultra-rich blend of natural butters, oils, and antioxidants, it leaves skin feeling rejuvenated hours after it’s first applied. Bonus: A burst of linoleic acid and vitamin E act protect skin from signs of aging, like lines and dark spots.
Pros:
- Deeply hydrating and nourishing
- Long-lasting
- Contains anti-aging properties
- Subtle citrus sandalwood scent
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not unscented
Scent: Unscented | Cruelty-free: Yes | Size: 8 oz.
If you're sensitive to smells, you'll want to opt for an un-scented body butter—and this one from Fount Society is a great pick. Albeit pricey, the ingredient list is packed with moisturizing and nourishing botanicals like sea fennel, shea butter, squalane, and lots of nut oils. Plus, it glides on smooth and doesn't leave skin feeling greasy.
Pros:
- Good for sensitive skin types
- Glides on smooth
- Contains sea fennel, which has antioxidant properties and helps resurface skin
Cons:
- Pricier option
Scent: Fragrance-free | Cruelty-free? No | Size: 20 oz.
Dr. Gohara typically recommends that people with sensitive skin opt for a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free hydrator moisturizer, and one such product that fits the bill is Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream. It’s formulated with glycerin and panthenol to hydrate and draw moisture into the skin—and my partner and I can personally attest to its effectiveness. We’ve relied on this product during the cold season for the last several years. It’s gotten rid of dry patches, flakes, and itchy spots, and it has a denser consistency that makes it feel like a full-body hug.
Plus, thanks to its hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free formula, it has never irritated my partner’s sensitive and eczematous skin.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free formula
- Gentle and derm-approved
- Available in five sizes
Con:
- Some may not like its thick consistency
Scent: Citrus | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 5.5 oz.
Our favorite plant-based body butter is by Corpus, which make all sorts of plant-based skincare goodies worth checking out. This vegan formula is made with nothing but natural ingredients, including tremella mushroom extract (for hydration), vegan squalane oil (for antioxidants) and cocoa-butter (for even more moisture). All of it is blended in the creamiest, most decadent whipped formula that melts into skin—it’s seriously dreamy, and smells it, too.
Pros:
- Plant-based ingredients
- Made with “clean” ingredients
- Smells great
- Long-lasting moisture
Cons:
- Pricey
Scent: Not specified | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 5 oz.
Beloved by Dr. Nazarian, Weleda’s Skin Food Body Butter is made with ingredients to rehydrate dry skin. “It has sunflower seed oil, shea and cocoa butter,” she says, which work to soften and moisturize. She also notes that it contains calendula and chamomile, two ingredients that can help temper itchiness and calm inflammation, which in addition to skin dryness, can occur during the colder months of the year. What this body butter doesn’t contain are synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and preservatives, making it ideal for those who are sensitive to these ingredients.
Pros:
- Contains calendula and chamomile to calm inflammation and redness
- Long-lasting multitasker
- Made without synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and preservatives
- Affordable
Con:
- Contains cocoa seed butter, which might not be ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin
Scent: Grapefruit, lime, cypress, and mandarin | Cruelty-free? Yes | Available sizes: 1.7 oz. and 6.7 oz.
This body butter will moisturize your skin andleave your limbs positively glowing, says dermatologist Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD. “I love this product because it reflects light nicely,” she says. It’s formulated with moisturizing shea butter, ceramides, andsaccharide isomerate (a plant-based carbohydrate complex), along with seaweed, which according to Dr. Ilyas can smooth theoverall look of the skin. Plus, it’s naturally scented with grapefruit, lime, cypress, along with sweet notes of mango mandarin, to leave you smelling like you’ve just stepped out of a spa (but just keep in mind that some people might be sensitive to these ingredients).
Pros:
- Boosts skin vibrance
- Formulated with seaweed to smooth the overall look of skin
- Invigorating citrus scent
Cons:
- Might not be ideal for those who are sensitive to fragrances
- Pricey
Scent: Not specified | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 3 oz.
Dr. Greenfield recommends the Ren butter balm for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. “It’s made specifically for sensitive skin, and it also contains ceramides,” she says, a prime moisturizing agent that provides—and seals in—hydration. She also points out that the balm-to-oil product moisturizer uses a combination of sunflower, apricot kernel, sweet almond, and camellia japonica oil to calm an irritated skin barrier, which can be caused or exacerbated by the season’s environmental aggressors, like cold weather and wind.
Pros:
- Made with sensitive and eczematous skin in mind
- Formulates with ceramides that provide and lock moisture into the skin barrier
Con:
- Only one size available
- Pricey
Scent: Fragrance-free | Cruelty-free? No | Size: 6.7 oz.
Clinique, which makes some of Well+Good’s favorite makeup and skin-care products, also makes a fantastic body butter. It comes with Dr. Greenfield’s stamp of approval because of its “smooth application” and ingredients list. Key among its ingredients are shea butter, plus glycerin and hyaluronic acid to pull moisture deep into the skin. What’s more? Dr. Greenfield says it is hydrating yet lightweight, so it won’t feel heavy on the skin. The formula is also free of fragrance, oil, alcohol, SLES, parabens, and phthalates, making it ideal for people with skin sensitivities.
Pros:
- Smooth and lightweight application
- Free of fragrance, oil, alcohol, SLES, parabens, and phthalates
- Deeply nourishing yet lightweight
Con:
- Only one size available
Scent: Vanilla | Cruelty-free? Yes | Available sizes: 2.5 oz. and 6.7 oz.
Fenty Skin’s Butta Drop contains seven (yes, seven) oils in its formula, along with shea butter and glycerin—and boy, does it deliver on its promises to deliver deep and long-lasting skin hydration. When I first slathered it onto my legs, the results were immediate. It smoothed my dry patches and left my skin with a dewy but not shiny finish. While the texture was thin enough to spread quickly, it took longer to absorb into my skin, but after it dried down, it felt weightless. This body butter has staying power to boot; I had dolphin skin for hours after application. The vanilla scent (which is subtle and not overpowering) also makes applying it a treat.
As a bonus, this body butter is refillable—once you use it up, you can just buy a refill container and pop it into the jar. What’s more, the refill size costs a few dollars less than the product with the outer packaging.
Pros:
- Leaves skin visibly soft and smooth after application
- Deeply nourishing
- Refillable packaging
Cons:
- Might take time to absorb into the skin
Scent: Mango | Cruelty-free? Yes | Available sizes: 1.67 oz. and 6.4 oz.
This body butter is sure to quench dehydrated skin. “The formula features high concentrations of both mango seed oil and cocoa seed butter, as well as shea butter, to help moisturize dry skin for up to 96 hours,” says Dr. Yadav. “I also love the scent!” As a bonus, Dr. Yadav mentions: “Many of the oils and butters used in products from The Body Shop are sustainably and fairly sourced from community cooperatives around the world.” This product, for instance, contains community fair-trade shea butter and mango seed oil, the latter of which is harvested by the brand’s partners in India.
Pros:
- Moisturizes dry skin for up to 96 hours
- Made with community-fair trade shea butter and mango seed oil
- Affordable
Con:
- Contains cocoa butter, which might not be ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin
Scent: Cocoa | Cruelty-free? No | Size: 7.5 oz.
The Vaseline Healing Jelly Cocoa Butter comes with the recommendation of Dr. Greenfield andDr. Nazarian. “Pure cocoa butter makes this Vaseline product a winner with its great price point and the reliable hydration it provides,” says Dr. Greenfield. Dr Nazarian agrees, adding: “It’s a body butter with an ointment base, so it’s perfect as a body butter and slugging, which is classically done by Vaseline.” It is also non-comedogenic, making it anideal option for a variety of skin types. Dr. Greenfield warns that because it’s on the thicker side, it might feel greasy upon initial application.
Pros:
- Non-comedogenic formulation
- Affordable
- Ultra-nourishing multitasker
Con:
- May leave behind a greasy finish
Scent: Honey | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 8 oz.
If you’re looking for a body butter that is deeply hydrating without being too heavy, Kiehl’s whipped body butter is a classic that delivers on both fronts. It blends together shea and jojoba butter with honey, resulting in a product that not only looks like butter, but also spreads like butter.
When I tested it, it applied smoothly and evenly onto my skin. The product dried down quickly and left me feeling supple and silky, if a little tacky upon the initial application. It didn’t hurt that this body butter left behind a pleasant scent that reminded me of a freshly baked almond croissant.
Pros:
- Hydrating without being heavy
- Butter-like spreadability
- Has a light, pleasant, subtle scent
Cons:
- Initially feels tacky on the skin
- Pricey
Scent: Sweet almond | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 8.4 oz.
Caudalíe’s take on body butter is this incredibly nourishing formulation. Its standout ingredients include moisturizing shea butter, antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil, and desert date oil, which is said to help with free radical damage. Upon application, it seamlessly melted into the skin and blanketed it with dewy hydration. I used this body butter before bedtime and I woke up with skin that was soft and smooth to the touch—a testament to the lasting hydration provided by this formula. If anything, its scent was reminiscent of playdough. Still, it won me over for its sumptuous consistency and effectiveness.
Pros:
- Made with ingredients to moisturizes and protects skin from free radical damage
- Provides lasting moisture
- Deeply nourishing
Con:
- Some may not like the scent
Scent: Fragrance-free | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 6.7 oz.
For those who prefer unscented formulas, Dr. Nazarian highly recommends this body butter from Bliss. “It has shea butter and coconut oil,” she says, the combination of which works hard to nourish skin from your shoulders to your toes. In addition to these ingredients, there is soybean oil and candelilla wax to improve moisture retention, plus sodium hyaluronate, a water-soluble salt derived from hyaluronic acid, that penetrates deep into the skin, and according to Dr. Nazarian, “pulls and seals water into the skin” for long-lasting hydration. Best of all, the tube design makes application easy peasy.
Pros:
- Vegan and cruelty-free formulation
- Made with soybean oil and candelilla wax to seal moisture into the skin
- Tube bottle helps with clean application
- Affordable
Con:
- Contains coconut oil, which might not be ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin
Scent: Rose | Cruelty-free? Yes | Size: 7.5 oz.
Scented body moisturizers are a dime a dozen, but Ouai’s Melrose Place Body Cream was a clear standout. It has a subtle rose scent that lingered long on my skin after the initial application—so much so,I’d get subtle whiffs throughout the day. The rose-scented body butter also contains notes of cedar, sandalwood, and amber, making for a sweet yet sultry fragrance that smells like the olfactory equivalent of a slinky slip dress. Made with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and squalane, it left my skin looking and feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized without leaving behind an oily sheen.
Pros:
- Long-lasting fragrance
- Absorbs quickly
- Luxurious
Cons:
- Might not be ideal for those who are sensitive to fragrances
Scent: Fragrance-free | Cruelty-free? No | Size: 5.2 oz.
“If you are suffering from seriously dry skin, this product is a game changer,” says Dr. Yadav. “This formula from L’Occitane is made from 100 percent pure organic shea butter, with a small amount of vitamin E added to stabilize the product,” she says. “Because it is pure shea butter, it is solid in cooler weather, but melts into the skin once applied.” Made with only two ingredients, this option is straightforward yet effective. While the product’s primary purpose is to moisturize your body, the brand indicates that you can use it to hydrate dry strands, too.
Pros:
- Made with 100-percent pure organic shea butter
- Can also be used to moisturize on hair and lips
- Deeply hydrating
Cons:
- Might entail some effort to work into skin
Scent: Fragrance-free | Cruelty-free? No | Available sizes: 3 oz., 5. oz., and 12 oz.
If you’re looking for something on the thicker side, consider an ointment like this one from CeraVe. It isn’t body butter, per se, but “it can be used as body butter,” says Dr. Greenfield, who recommends this product. “It’s a petrolatum-based product, [and] it’s incredibly hydrating.” Thanks to petrolatum, it has occlusive properties, which means it locks hydration in, while hyaluronic acid and ceramides pack a powerful one-two punch of moisture. Just a small amount will tackle dry patches, whether on your hands, elbows, or knees, and she also notes that it’s ideal for reactive skin—the formula is non-comedogenic and fragrance- and dye-free.
Pros:
- Non-comedogenic and fragrance- and dye-free formula
- Contains inclusive ingredients to lock moisture into skin
- Multitasker
Cons:
- Only formulated with oils, not butters
- Can be greasy
How to use body butter
As for how to use body butter, all the dermatologists we spoke to say that it should be used after showering when your skin is still damp.
“Pat—don’t rub—the skin dry and immediately apply the butter within a minute or two minutes after you’ve dried yourself off,” says Dr. Gohara, adding that this will help maximize the effects of the product. You can use it all over your body, or use it on dry areas, like the knees and elbows.
While you can apply it at any time of the day, it’s important to note that body butter takes longer to absorb in the skin, and some can feel a little wet when first applied. With this in mind, wait for the butter to dry before getting dressed, or alternatively, use it before bedtime to prevent any residue from transferring to your clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Is body butter better than body cream?
The main difference between body butter and standard cream is the richness. Which one you choose is often a matter of personal preference and skin type, but generally speaking, you may want to consider a body butter if you have dry skin or in the colder months when the skin is typically drier due to the season’s moisture-depleting elements.
Is it okay to use body butter every day?
Yes, you can use body butter every day just as you would a body lotion or cream, although Dr. Nazarian mentions that because of a butter’s thicker consistency, it might feel “stifling” on the skin for some people during the warmer months. “I would say if you still feel like you need [a body butter], even though the weather is hot, use it at night before you go to bed rather than during the daytime,” she says.
Is body butter best used in the shower or out?
It is best to use body butter immediately after a shower or bath when your skin is still damp.
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