Body Butters, Creams, and Lotions: What’s the Difference? (DIY)

If you’re anything like us, you would’ve guessed that body butter, cream, and lotion was one in the same, just a fancier way of saying one over the other. But in all actuality, body butter, cream, and body lotion are nothing to confuse when it comes to moisturizing your skin.

All of these products are used to moisturize, soften and provide important nutrients to the skin, but it’s essential to know how each product does it so you can determine which one to use.

Body Butter

Having the same consistency as the butter you cook with, body butter is the thickest of the three moisturizers. Body butter is typically made with a combination of essential butter and carrier oils that usually lack any water.

The butter is extracted from natural ingredients like shea, cocoa, and mango, which provide essential minerals and fatty acids to your skin. Carrier oils are used to carry and deliver the essential ingredients into the skin. Depending on the combination of butter and essential oils, each butter will have its own absorbency and texture.

Body butter is applied to lubricate and nourish the skin while retaining moisture throughout the day. It is preferred that you use body butter for your hands, lips, feet, and legs. Depending on the carrier oils and your skin type, some kinds of body butter might be absorbed into the skin better, while others can create an oily barrier on the skin’s surface.

Body Cream

Typically whipped, creams are thinner in consistency than body butter. Containing the same ingredients as body butter, body creams usually contain more water-based ingredients like aloe vera or hydrosol. Big skin care companies often add beeswax, xanthan gum, or borax to serve as a thickening agent.

Body Lotion

The lightest of them all, body lotion provides the thinnest consistency of all the moisturizers. Body lotions are mostly composed of water and contain essential and carrier oils that deliver moisture to your skin. Lotions tend not to moisturize as intensely as creams and butters, and their moisturizing effects tend not to last as long.

How to Make Your Own Body Butter

Making your own body butter is easy, affordable, and can even be done in the comfort of your own home. To make your own body butter:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa butter or mango butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup light oil (like almond, jojoba or olive)
• 10-30 drops of essential oils of choice
• 1.5 tablespoons of arrowroot powder (optional)

Method:

1. In a double boiler, combine all ingredients except essential oils.
2. Bring to medium heat and stir constantly until all the ingredients are melted.
3. Remove from the heat and let the mixture slightly cool. Add a tablespoon of arrowroot powder.
4. Add 10-30 drops of essential oils.
5. Move the mixture to the fridge and let cool for an hour, or until it starts to harden but remains somewhat soft.
6. Use a hand mixer to whip the mixture for 10 minutes until fluffy.
7. Return the whipped mixture to the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.
8. Store in a glass jar with a lid and use as you would regular lotion or body butter. If your home is typically warm and above 75 degrees, your homemade body butter may soften and need to be kept in the fridge.

Silky Smooth Skin

Knowing the difference between body butter, body lotion, and body cream can mean the difference between having silky smooth skin or having over/under-hydrated skin.

If you decide to make your own body butter, be sure you do your research on essential oils and carrier oils as they all have various medicinal properties and some may be better suited for you over another.

References